Aviation crews remain stationed near their hangars, radar screens remain trained on western horizons, and some 30 million residents across the capital region wait to see whether engineered clouds can offer a rare gasp of clean air.
The cost of Tuesday’s two flights alone is estimated at ₹1.2 crore (approximately) as part of the pilot. While rainfall did not materialise, IIT Kanpur reported modest reductions in particulate matter (PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀) at test locations, roughly 6 to 10 per cent lower concentrations.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta told reporters she was confident the state was “fully geared to fight pollution,” referencing the Centre’s approval of the cloud seeding plan.
While a single monthly reading above 6 per cent does not constitute a formal policy failure, the persistent upward trajectory since early 2026 leaves monetary authorities with little room to manoeuvre.
The authors stress that individual knowledge alone is insufficient. Food environments – marketing, pricing, availability and access – must support healthier choices.
While a single monthly reading above 6 per cent does not constitute a formal policy failure, the persistent upward trajectory since early 2026 leaves monetary authorities with little room to manoeuvre.