Maharashtra CM holds review meeting, directs officials to check option of cloud-seeding

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div id=”pcl-full-content”>Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday held a review meeting with officials in view of air pollution in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and directed the officials to examine the option of cloud-seeding for artificial rain to reduce dust pollution in Mumbai.

CM Shinde also directed the authorities to deploy 1,000 tankers to spray water to curb the dust on Mumbai’s roads and increase the forest cover in the city.

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After the meeting, Shinde said, “Instructions have been given to increase forest cover in urban areas. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been directed to take 100 water tankers on rent and wash the roads daily using recycled or borewell water. Instructions have been given to use all the options and machineries to curb pollution. There has already rain in Mumbai. But instructions have been given to examine if cloud seeding option can be used, if needed.”

Shinde also held discussions with officials from the environment ministry, civic chiefs and collectors from other districts on ways to tackle the rising pollution levels. He also instructed all the departments to work towards a pollution-free Maharashtra.

“I have given instructions to the authorities to take up the task of curbing pollution on a war-footing. The BMC has been asked to use more manpower to clean roads using water and hire tankers for the purpose,” the CM said.

The CM said a special team should be appointed to deploy 1,000 tankers to spray water to mitigate dust on the roads in Mumbai. “Construction sites of MMRDA should be dust-free and clean the CM further instructing the Municipal Commissioner to increase the use of anti-smog guns and sprinklers,” he said.

According to the officials, the CM directed the officials to implement measures to improve the air quality index on action mode.

The CM has directed all municipalities and cities to strictly follow the orders and guidelines given by the High Court to control the most polluted places in the city. He directed the transport department to take action against vehicles that are not covered while transporting construction debris.

Shinde also gave instructions to submit a weekly review of pollution control measures in the state.