Kiran Bedi Urges PM Modi To Step In As Delhi’s Air Quality Worsens

Former Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to personally intervene in Delhi's escalating pollution crisis. In a post on X, Bedi requested that the issue be highlighted in the upcoming 'Mann Ki Baat' episode and reminded Modi of the highly effective Zoom review meetings he held during her tenure in Puducherry.

The appeal comes as several parts of Delhi recorded an AQI of 369 on Friday, placing the capital in the 'very poor' category once again. Bedi said Modi's virtual meetings had previously motivated officials to deliver results on time. "Sir, please forgive me for pleading again," she wrote, recalling how his sessions pushed teams to meet national targets.

Call for Regular Review Meetings

Bedi proposed that the Prime Minister hold monthly online reviews with Chief Ministers and Chief Secretaries of states surrounding Delhi. According to her, such high-level monitoring would reassure citizens and ensure stricter follow-through on pollution-control measures. She added that addressing the issue on 'Mann Ki Baat' could guide the public on actions they can take to help reduce pollution.

"Delhi was waiting for a double engine in this respect too," she wrote, stressing the need for coordinated efforts to reverse the damage caused over the last decade.

Persistent Air Quality Concerns

Delhi has swung between 'very poor' and 'severe' air quality for the past two weeks despite multiple anti-pollution drives. Forecasts from the Air Quality Early Warning System indicate that the grim situation may continue into next week.

Bedi argued that the crisis is rooted in "decades without true coordination in governance" and has been consistently raising the issue on her social media. Her latest appeal underscores the need for unified government action and sustained public awareness to safeguard the health of Delhi's residents.