CM suggests artificial rain to fight smog

Lucknow, Nov 16: As a few cities, including Lucknow, are grappling with smog, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has banned burning of waste at public places as well as suggested artificial rain in the Uttar Pradesh capital to clear smog.

The directives were issued in a meeting of environment department here on Wednesday late night. As per directives, Mr Adityanath has asked IIT Kanpur to arrange artificial rain to clear smog engulfing the city skyline. It may be recalled that Lucknow was the most polluted city in India on Tuesday and second after Ghaziabad on Wednesday with air index hovering around 500 points. The Chief Minister has also banned burning of solid waste in rural and urban areas of the state. The guilty will be punished if the orders are not implemented in letter and spirit, the statement said. The fire brigade and police have been asked to sprinkle water on the roads to ensure dust is settled and it does not add to air pollution. UNI