Congress Criticizes Delhi's Cloud Seeding as Ineffective 'Cruel Joke'
The Congress party has dismissed Delhi's winter cloud seeding experiment as a 'cruel joke' with negligible impact on air quality. It cited expert opposition from environmental agencies and scientific studies, highlighting that the project cost ₹34 crore and delivered only minor, short-lived improvements. Experts argue cloud seeding is ineffective in Delhi's winter conditions and may be a publicity stunt.
The Congress party has strongly criticized the Delhi government's winter cloud seeding initiative, calling it a 'cruel joke' that offers negligible relief from air pollution. The party pointed out that the project cost ₹34 crore and only produced minor, short-lived improvements in air quality. Congress communications in-charge Jairam Ramesh referenced a December 2024 Rajya Sabha reply, noting that the Commission for Air Quality Management, Central Pollution Control Board, and India Meteorological Department all opposed the proposal. These agencies argued that winter clouds in Delhi, formed by Western Disturbances, are short-lived and naturally result in rainfall, making cloud seeding unnecessary. High-altitude clouds cannot be seeded due to aircraft limitations, and precipitation often evaporates before reaching the ground due to dry atmospheric layers. Concerns were also raised about the efficacy and potential adverse effects of cloud seeding chemicals. An October 31, 2025, report from IIT Delhi’s Centre for Atmospheric Sciences concluded the initiative would have negligible impact on Delhi’s toxic air. Ramesh stated that such efforts are more about headlines than real solutions. The criticism followed Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa’s defense of the project and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s dismissal of data manipulation allegations. Opposition parties continue to accuse the government of wasting public funds on untested methods and using publicity stunts to divert attention from the worsening pollution crisis.
