Overview

• An order dated September 23 authorises IIT Kanpur’s Cessna 206‑H (VT‑IIT) to conduct cloud seeding in Delhi from October 1 to November 30.
• Officials say a trial window of October 9–11 is tentatively earmarked for north Delhi with sorties to operate from the Hindon airbase, subject to real‑time IMD forecasts.
• DGCA conditions require Visual Flight Rules operations, prior ATC and AAI coordination with NOTAMs, licensed and medically fit pilots with relevant experience, no overflight of restricted areas, no aerial photography, no foreign crew, and no remuneration.
• Delhi leaders frame the effort as a short‑term tool to wash pollutants from the air during the seasonal spike in pollution, with the aircraft kept on standby for suitable conditions.
• Earlier trial windows in July and late August–early September were postponed due to monsoon patterns, and experts continue to caution that any air‑quality gains are uncertain and temporary.