IIT-K roped in for cloud-seeding trials to check pollution in Delhi
Each cloud-seeding will cost around Rs 1.5 crore. If the proposal is approved, the government is expected to transfer funds directly to the institute.
'They (IIT-K) have already worked on technical aspects. If the proposal gets cabinet approval, no-objection certificates will be sought from 13 departments whose permissions are required to conduct the trial. The government will do the funding,' the official said, adding that after the initial test run, scientific evaluations would be conducted.
A total of 13 NOCs will be required from key agencies such as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Airports Authority of India.
'Once approved, it will be shared with all relevant departments for no-objection certificates. We aim to conduct the first trial during peak summer on the outskirts of Delhi,' Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa had earlier said.
He had also said that the government was ramping up its pollution control measures using advanced technologies such as digitisation, artificial intelligence-based monitoring, and 24x7 surveillance at pollution hotspots.
What is cloud-seeding?
An experiment to assess whether it can successfully enhance precipitation, potentially addressing water scarcity or improving air quality
Involves introducing substances like silver iodide or dry ice into clouds
Substances act as 'nuclei', providing a surface for water vapour to condense and form ice crystals, which can then grow into raindrops or snowflakes
Why Trials conducted
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
3 hours ago
- Business Standard
PM Narendra Modi pushes for tech self-reliance in Independence Day speech
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address on the 79th Independence Day, underscored the need for India to be self-reliant and innovative in its use of technology. He emphasised that building digital sovereignty is essential to reduce dependence on foreign companies for tech services. 'Every nation that mastered technology scaled the heights of development, reached the pinnacle, and attained new dimensions of economic power,' he said, urging the country to master critical technologies. PM Modi highlighted India's progress in the semiconductor space. 'The first Made in India chip, manufactured in Bharat by the people of Bharat, will be available in the market by the end of this year,' he said. 'Today we have freed ourselves from that burden and advanced the work on semiconductors in mission mode. Six different semiconductor units are taking shape on the ground, and we have already given the green signal to four new units,' Modi said during his 103-minute speech, the longest in his ongoing tenure as Prime Minister. Under the first phase of the Rs 76,000 crore India Semiconductor Mission, the government has so far approved 10 semiconductor chip fabrication and packaging units. In June 2023, the government approved a $2.75 billion project proposal by Micron to establish a semiconductor chip Assembly, Testing, Marking, and Packaging (ATMP) unit in Sanand, Gujarat. A few months later, the government approved India's first chip fabrication project, a joint venture between India's Tata Group and Taiwan's Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC), with an investment of $11 billion (approximately Rs 91,000 crore). Since then, the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), the nodal agency under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, has approved eight more ATMP, Outsourced Assembly and Testing (OSAT), and compound semiconductor fabrication units. Earlier this week, the Union Cabinet approved four additional compound semiconductor fabrication and ATMP units, two of which will be set up in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, and one each in Mohali, Punjab, and Andhra Pradesh. During his speech on Friday, Modi also exhorted the nation's youth to build indigenous platforms so that India's wealth did not 'go out' of the country. Citing the example of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) platform, which is handling 50% of the real-time transactions happening in India today, the Prime Minister said that the ability to create something like UPI meant that the youth had power. 'Be it the creative world, social media, or any of these platforms, I challenge the youth of my country, come, why don't we have our own platforms? Why should we depend on others? Why should India's wealth go out? I have faith in your capability,' Modi said. The Prime Minister's call for tech self-reliance comes as nations worldwide ramp up investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity amid geopolitical and economic uncertainty. Jaspreet Bindra, co-founder of AI & Beyond, said that in today's rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape, relying solely on foreign platforms means outsourcing capability, sovereignty, and control. 'Building sovereign AI and homegrown digital infrastructure will ensure India retains its economic value, safeguards its data and jobs, and shapes technologies to serve its own strategic and business interests. We would not like to end up in a scenario where our digital services like DPI, DPG, and AI platforms are at the whims and fancies of another nation,' he added. The PM also called on the youth of the country to build and create Made-in-India social media platforms and other technology platforms. However, historically India has not been able to make a global mark. One reason is that digital businesses tend to favour first movers in the space. India did try to create its own micro-blogging platform, Koo, similar to X (formerly Twitter). Despite local language support and several celebrities joining the platform, it could not sustain. Mayank Bidawatka, co-founder of Koo, told Business Standard that when it comes to technology, India needs to be patient with adoption and invest heavily in key areas. 'It could be research in medical breakthroughs, automation (robotics, AI, manufacturing), or defence. There are many areas. You just have to rethink what the future will be like and where countries and companies will get a competitive edge by owning the resource or the final product, and start placing bets early,' he added. Bidawatka urged that strategic and national importance should be focused on and protected. 'Create homegrown companies or ask homegrown companies to create solutions with tax breaks/incentives and protect these from outside competition for a few years,' he said. Pankit Desai, co-founder and CEO of Sequretek, a cybersecurity firm, shared that the PM's call to the youth to innovate in AI and cybersecurity is both timely and essential. "As cyber threats evolve at unprecedented speed, India's ability to secure its digital future will hinge on indigenous innovation that blends advanced AI with strong security frameworks. At Sequretek, we believe this is an opportunity to not just consume technology, but to create globally competitive solutions from India," Desai said.
The Print
6 hours ago
- The Print
‘In mission mode' for 1st Made-in-India chip by 2025-end—Modi on big tech bet in I-Day speech
The prime minister's comments come two days after the approval of four new semiconductor manufacturing facilities under India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) for applications in defence, electric vehicles and solar power. These facilities are to be set up in Odisha, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh, with an investment of Rs 4,600 crore, amplifying employment opportunities for skilled professionals in the electronic manufacturing ecosystem. 'We are working in mission mode in the semiconductor sector. Made-in-India chips will hit markets by the end of this year,' he said. 'We have decided to make India self-reliant in energy, taking several initiatives in solar, hydrogen and nuclear sectors.' Bengaluru: India is preparing to roll out its first domestically produced semiconductor by the end of this year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day speech at the Red Fort Friday, emphasised the pressing need for the country to be technology-driven to achieve success. For instance, SicSem Private Limited is collaborating with UK's Class-SiC Wafer Fab Ltd to manufacture Silicon Carbide devices in Info Valley, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. This will be the first commercial compound fabrication facility in the country, according to a government press release. Also in Info Valley, 3D Glass Solutions will be setting up a packaging and embedding glass substrate unit. In Andhra Pradesh, a semiconductor manufacturing unit for applications in mobile phones and automobiles will be set up in a tie-up with South Korea-based Advanced System in Package Technologies (ASIP). Punjab will also house a manufacturing facility through the expansion of Continental Device India Private Limited's (CDIL) unit in Mohali. 'These would complement the growing world class chip design capabilities coming up in the country which are propelled by design infrastructure support provided by the Government to 278 academic institutions and 72 start-ups,' the government statement read. Later this year, the country will host the fourth edition of Semicon India 2025 in New Delhi. This year, the conference will focus on building semiconductor powerhouses. For the first time, the exhibition will have international pavilions from Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and 15 other countries. Also Read: Modi pushes for self-reliance in critical minerals in I-Day speech. What India's done so far Joining the global chip circuit Modi has previously pushed for 'betting on India', especially 'when the chips are down', by banking on India's semiconductor revolution. By 2030, India's chip market is expected to grow to $100 billion. India is setting foot in the global semiconductor industry, which is currently dominated by countries like Taiwan, Japan, China and the US. More than 60 percent of semiconductors in the world are presently manufactured by Taiwan, exposing global supply chains to alarming risks in the middle of geopolitical tensions. India has joined the race, along with the US, EU, Japan and South Korea, to be self reliant in semiconductor production. With rich sources of chemicals, minerals and gases used for semiconductor manufacturing, India is seen as a country which could rise as a contributor to the primary pillars of chip manufacturing supply chain, such as equipment building, material supply, and research and development. Nonetheless, India needs the right technology and policy to realise a semiconductor future, besides ensuring a strong industry-academia engagement, where academia works on industry-relevant problems, and industry must have a vision for the next 10 years to drive futuristic research through academia. Government subsidies and support to build fabrication facilities are pertinent. That said, as policy experts observe, fabrication facilities will take longer for companies to see profits. The longer time in returns might lead to the fabrication laboratories to be uneconomical, and will warrant multiple rounds of subsidies. It is also important to secure intellectual property rights for semiconductor designs. Reports suggest that India has lower domestic control of patents, unlike countries like China. The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), approved by the Union Cabinet in December 2021, outlays Rs 76,000 crore to provide support for investment in semiconductor fabrication, display and manufacturing and chip design. ISM is focused on a long-term strategy for the manufacturing and design ecosystem by promoting indigenous Intellectual Property (IP) generation, while training Indian youth and encouraging international investments. Such a focus extends to other sectors as well. (Edited by Mannat Chugh) Also Read: 'India working on its own space station, human spaceflight mission'—Modi on 'atmanirbharta' in space
United News of India
6 hours ago
- United News of India
ISRO Chief gets Kalam award for success of Spadex, Axiom, NISAR missions and for critical space system support for successful Op Sindoor
Chennai, Aug 15 (UNI) Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman and Secretary, Department of Space Dr V Narayanan was today presented the former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam award by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin for the successful Spadex and NISAR missions and for the critical space system support by ISRO for the recent successful 'Operation Sindoor', which was one of the major achievements under his able leadership. Dr. Narayanan, in his brief tenure as DOS Secretary, has proven his visionary leadership with several achievements. They included the 100th launch from SHAR Range the successful completion of Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX) mission making India the fourth country in the world to achieve this, and the successful completion of Axiom mission wherein the second Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla travelled to International Space Station and brought back safely. Dr Narayanan led a high-level delegation which was instrumental in insisting and correcting the Liquid Oxygen leakage in the Falcon-9 vehicle and ensuring safety of the four astronauts onboard Axiom-4 mission including Shubhanshu Shukla from India which otherwise would have led to catastrophic failure. The award was also to hail the recent successful launch of the prestigious and technologically complex NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar Spacecraft using GSLV vehicle. The critical space system support by ISRO for the recent successful 'Operation Sindoor' by India was one of the major achievements under his able leadership, the Government said. He is also spearheading the complex cutting edge technology developments feeding to national missions like Gaganyaan programme, Chandrayaan-4 and 5, Venus Orbiter Mission, Bharathiya Anthariksh Station, Next Generation Launch Vehicle and many more including an Indian astronaut landing on the moon and returning safely. Dr. Narayanan, in his illustrious career, has been honoured with more than 35 most prestigious awards including Distinguished Alumni Award and Life Fellowship Award from IIT, Kharagpur, Gold Medal from Astronautical Society of India (ASI). He is a Member and Fellow of a large number of prestigious National and International Scientific and Technical forums. Born in a small village Melakattuvilai in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, Dr. Narayanan was a brilliant student throughout his academic career. He studied in Tamil Nadu Government School and completed Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from Government. Polytechnic, Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu. Later, he obtained in Cryogenic Engineering with a silver medal and first rank and Ph.D. from IIT, Kharagpur. Dr. Narayanan was appointed as Secretary, DoS and Chairman, ISRO and Chairman, Space Commission in recognition of his distinguished career in ISRO spanning 41 years with multiple key leadership roles including the post of Director, Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre of ISRO for seven years. He pioneered in the propulsion systems of rockets and satellites for ISRO, working in critical and cutting edge technologies of propulsion systems, and realisation of large infrastructure. As a propulsion system technocrat, his professional career is studded with several major achievements like leading the Cryogenic propulsion realisation and stage development for India's self-reliance in launch vehicle technology making it one amongst the six countries having this technology. As a Project Director, instrumental in development of C25 Cryogenic Stage for LVM3 launch vehicle and obtained three world records. He was responsible for successful completion of development of Cryogenic Propulsion System from engine hot test to successful flight in 28 months with only 3 engines. Dr. Narayanan's key contributions to pan-ISRO activities include his leadership in development of propulsion systems for launch vehicles and spacecraft of Chandrayaan-2 and 3 missions including the development of throttleable propulsion system for soft landing of Lander and Rover of Chandrayaan-3. After the unsuccessful landing attempt of Chandrayaan-2, he was appointed as the Chairman of the National Level Expert Committee to analyse the reason for the setback. Under his Chairmanship, this committee made critical recommendations for improvement which resulted in the resounding success of Chandrayaan-3 mission. Similarly, he has played a major role in various other national missions like Aditya L1, One Web India missions, etc., and was instrumental in drafting the road maps of Space Transportation Systems of ISRO as the Chairman of Space Transportation System (STS) Programme Management Council. Dr. Narayanan is striving to provide techno-managerial leadership for achieving excellence in Space Transportation, Infrastructure and Space applications benefitting common citizens of our country as well as creating and nurturing a vibrant space eco-system in India. UNI GV 1425
