Delhi smog: Pawan Hans agrees to help Kejriwal govt sprinkle water aerially

Following a directive by Delhi's Environment Minister Imran Hussain, the Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited on Friday has been assgined to settle down particulate matter (PM) in the national capital region through aerial sprinkling in Delhi.

This measure has been taken up due to the rising levels of air pollution in Delhi and adjoining areas that has hit 70 times the World Health Organisation's safe limit.

The Ministry of Food and Supplies, Environment and Forest, Election in a letter, addressed the possibility of carrying out the exercise to sprinkle water aerially through helicopters to settle the PM in Delhi.

"Sprinkling of water aerially through helicopter to settle the particulate matter in Delhi shall require a comprehensive feasibility study and approvals from various authorities such as DGCA, AAI, Defence, Delhi Administration etc.," the letter further said, adding few suggestions on what needed to be done.

Setting up a Joint Working Group of Delhi Administration and Pawan Hans Team to work out proposal; development of the SOP for operation and carrying out the sprinkling water exercise over the city as Capital has areas of non flying zones; and a specialised equipment to be attached with helicopter to carry out the sprinkling water exercise - were the suggestions made in the letter.

The representatives of the company and that of the Delhi Government are likely to meet tomorrow to discuss the details in this regard.

With Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) facing severe pollution for the third day on Thursday, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a notice to the Centre and the governments of Delhi, Punjab and Haryana.