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The Delhi government turns to technology to battle against severe air pollution reaching hazardous levels this winter. A dense, toxic smog has blanketed the city, pushing the Air Quality Index (AQI) beyond 450 into the “severe plus” category—the worst possible.
In response, the government promises a 21-point Winter Action Plan, using drones to monitor pollution hotspots and proposing artificial rain to clear the smog. But how effective are these measures?
Delhi’s Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, explained the urgency of the plan: “For the first time, drones will monitor air quality at Delhi’s pollution hot spots, and an STF, comprising six members, will ensure enforcement of pollution control measures.” The proposal also includes cloud seeding to induce artificial rain, aimed at washing pollutants from the air. But experts are questioning whether these measures will truly help in the long run.
Tech Solutions, Short-Term Fixes
The artificial rain proposal—involving cloud seeding with chemicals like silver iodide—is intended to bring immediate relief. Rain will wash away pollutants, temporarily improving air quality. Manoj Kumar, an air pollution analyst, explained that in order for the process to be effective, ideal conditions must be met. This involves specific levels of humidity, precipitation, and cloud properties” to work effectively. But even if successful, the rain might fall outside Delhi, limiting its impact on the city’s pollution.
The government has also deployed drones to spray mist and suppress dust. Dust is one of the major contributors to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the air. However, experts have pointed out that dust suppression is not a citywide solution.
Karthik Ganesan of the Council on Energy, Environment, and Water argued, “Dust suppression is used in mining areas where there is heavy vehicle movement. It’s not a solution for citywide air pollution control, especially where the real problem is vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, and construction waste.”
Learning from Beijing and Mexico City
The use of technological interventions to combat air pollution is not new. Cities like Beijing and Mexico City, which once faced hazardous air quality, have significantly improved their conditions with a similarly aggressive approach. Beijing introduced strict regulatory measures, backed by heavy investment in clean energy, leading to a dramatic reduction in air pollution levels by 2021. Mexico City improved air quality by enforcing emission controls, expanding public transportation, and phasing out older, more polluting vehicles.
In contrast, Delhi’s current plans may offer temporary relief but fail to address the systemic causes of pollution—such as vehicle emissions and industrial waste. Avinash Chanchal of Greenpeace South Asia stated that what Delhi needs is long-term political commitment. “We already have enough science, data, and solutions. What we need is the political will to implement them,” he said.
Where Delhi Stands
Despite the innovative technologies being considered, experts agree that enforcement remains key. Many of the proposed measures, such as cloud seeding and drone spraying, face logistical challenges. Furthermore, addressing pollution at the source—like limiting vehicle emissions and reducing industrial pollutants—is still largely lacking. Effective enforcement of existing regulations, paired with lasting infrastructure changes, is what experts believe Delhi needs most.
The city’s reliance on technological fixes like artificial rain may offer short-term respite, but without strong enforcement of emission standards and public participation, the pollution will likely persist. Unless Delhi’s approach evolves into one that emphasizes reducing pollution at its source, its fight against toxic air will remain an uphill battle.
