India, Oct. 26 -- In a landmark step toward combating air pollution, Delhi earlier this week successfully carried out its first-ever cloud seeding trial flight, marking a significant milestone in the capital's efforts to explore artificial rain as an innovative solution to its recurring pollution crisis. However, environmental experts have expressed strong reservations about the initiative.

The proving flight, jointly conducted by the Delhi Government's Environment Department and IIT Kanpur, was aimed at testing the readiness of the aircraft, the functioning of cloud-seeding flares, and inter-agency coordination ahead of the large-scale operations scheduled between October 28 and 30.

Leading the initiative, Environment Minister Manjinde...