{
  "id": 19992157,
  "title": "From odd-even to cloud seeding: Why Delhi's pollution battle remains unfinished",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/14/from-odd-even-to-cloud-seeding-why-delhis-pollution-battle-remains",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-11-14T13:46:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/from-odd-even-to-cloud-seeding-why-delhis-pollution-battle-remains-unfinished/articleshow/135834047.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Delhi's air quality remains dangerously poor despite successive governments' attempts to curb pollution. The capital's Air Quality Index typically hits 'very poor' levels, often breaching the 'severe' threshold. Governments have introduced various measures to tackle the crisis, from odd-even vehicle restrictions to cloud seeding and smog guns. However, these emergency interventions have proven largely ineffective, according to environmental experts.\n\nThe odd-even vehicle scheme limited the use of private cars on alternate days to reduce vehicular emissions. Cloud seeding involved artificially inducing rain to wash pollutants from the air, but the approach requires specific atmospheric conditions that are rarely met in Delhi's winter season. Smog guns and water sprinklers were used to suppress dust, but experts argue these measures mainly settle coarse dust over limited areas and do not address fine combustion particles and secondary pollutants that make up the bulk of Delhi's pollution.\n\nVehicular emissions, primarily from private cars and commercial vehicles, account for a significant portion of fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Doctors warn that prolonged exposure to polluted air can lead to severe health issues, including reduced lung growth in children and increased risks of respiratory and cardiovascular problems.\n\nThe article highlights that while emergency measures offer temporary relief, Delhi needs a more sustainable, science-based approach to tackle its recurring pollution crisis. Simply managing the smog after it sets in is not enough; the focus should be on tackling pollution at its source.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}