Cloud seeding a gimmick: Cong

Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) chief Devender Yadav criticised the BJP Government’s attempt to create artificial rain through cloud seeding, calling it a “gimmick to mislead the people and squander the taxpayers’ money without achieving any tangible results”.

Yadav said the BJP was indulging in gimmicks without addressing the core issues that led to severe air pollution in the Capital. He pointed out that the Congress had repeatedly warned about the futility of cloud seeding, a concern validated by the failed exercise at Burari, which did not bring any rain.

He said, “The government was also hiding the fact about the damage that artificial rain would cause to the environment, as the chemical used for the project will further worsen the polluted environment in Delhi.”

Yadav said the CM Rekha Gupta Government had not ensured how much success it would get in controlling the stifling and dangerous air pollution in Delhi through cloud seeding.

He said, “A total of Rs 3.21 crore was spent for cloud seeding 100 square kilometer in a 90-minute flight at Burari.”

He added, “CM Rekha Gupta has spent Rs 7.33 crore in the past six months on publicity stunts, including pollution control.

The government has failed to take effective steps to address vehicular pollution, dust emanating from broken roads, construction sites and burning of crop residue in the neighbouring states. Cloud seeding can happen only if there is cloud formation over the city.”