New Delhi | November 3, 2025 —
As Delhi’s air quality plummeted to “severe” levels this weekend, a fresh political storm erupted over the government’s experimental cloud seeding initiative, aimed at artificially inducing rainfall to combat the city’s toxic smog.
The move, led by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, triggered heated exchanges with both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress, each accusing the other of “criminal negligence” amid one of the worst pollution spells in recent memory.
According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) crossed 540 in several parts of the city — far beyond the “hazardous” threshold — with PM2.5 concentrations over 10 times the safe limit prescribed by the WHO.
🌧️ Cloud Seeding Plan Draws Fire
The Delhi government’s plan to deploy cloud seeding in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur was initially welcomed as an innovative solution, but soon became the center of a storm.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal defended the initiative, saying it was “a desperate but necessary attempt to bring temporary relief to citizens.”
“We are exploring every scientific option to clean Delhi’s air,” Kejriwal told reporters. “Cloud seeding is not politics; it’s survival.”
However, BJP leaders criticized the AAP government for what they called “photo-op governance.”
Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva said:
“Every winter, AAP blames others and launches gimmicks. Cloud seeding won’t fix five years of failed pollution control.”
The Congress Party, while supporting the concept in principle, accused both AAP and BJP of “passing the buck” instead of ensuring early preventive measures.
“This chaos could have been avoided if the Delhi government had implemented anti-dust norms and stubble management in time,” said Delhi Congress chief Devender Yadav.
🚨 GRAP Stage 4 Measures Enforced
With pollution touching emergency levels, authorities have activated Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) — the most stringent anti-pollution protocol in India’s capital region.
Key measures now in force include:
🚫 Closure of all schools up to Class 8 until further notice.
🚗 Odd-even vehicle scheme to curb vehicular emissions starting November 4.
🏗️ Complete ban on construction and demolition activities (except critical public projects).
🛑 Restrictions on truck entry into Delhi, barring essential goods.
🏠 Encouragement of work-from-home policies for private offices.
Environment Minister Gopal Rai said the city government is working “round the clock” with agencies to enforce GRAP measures.
“We can’t control the wind direction or crop burning in neighboring states, but we are doing everything possible within our jurisdiction,” he added.
🌾 Stubble Burning Blame Game
Satellite data from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) showed a sharp spike in stubble burning incidents across Punjab and Haryana over the past week. The BJP-led central government accused the AAP-ruled Punjab of “turning a blind eye” to farm fire management.
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav stated:
“More than 2,500 fires were reported yesterday alone. The AAP government must stop blaming others and start acting on the ground.”
AAP countered, alleging that the Centre has failed to release funds for PUSA decomposer distribution and bio-mulching incentives for farmers.
“You can’t solve pollution by cutting budgets and pointing fingers,” said AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj.
🧭 Experts: Pollution Politics Overshadows Public Health
Environmental experts lament that annual “pollution blame games” have become routine, while citizens continue to choke.
Dr. Randeep Guleria, former AIIMS Director, noted:
“This is no longer just a policy failure — it’s a health emergency. Cloud seeding or not, immediate reduction in emissions is the only real solution.”
He added that hospitals have seen a 25% surge in respiratory complaints in the past week, including among children and the elderly.
🏥 Public Outrage and Legal Action
Citizen groups have filed urgent petitions in the Supreme Court, seeking immediate intervention to enforce stricter air quality controls. The Court, which has repeatedly admonished governments for “ritualistic responses,” is expected to hear the matter this week.
Meanwhile, Delhiites continue to suffer under a thick haze.
“Every year it’s the same story — the air turns poisonous, and politicians argue,” said Pooja Arora, a resident of Dwarka. “We don’t need cloud seeding; we need accountability.”
🔍 Analysis: Environmental Crisis, Political Opportunity
Analysts suggest the pollution crisis has become a political flashpoint ahead of next year’s Delhi Assembly elections.
Political strategist Pradeep Bansal commented:
“Pollution is no longer just an environmental issue — it’s electoral ammunition. Every party is trying to shape the narrative before the 2026 campaign season begins.”
Yet amid the noise, Delhi’s residents are left gasping — for both clean air and clean politics.
