Former IPS officer and ex-Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi has issued a sharp appeal over Delhi’s deteriorating air quality, stating she “cannot see my city Delhi suffer, to which I have given my entire life.” She has recently appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in the matter. In an emotional post on X, Bedi stated Delhi today is “choking and gasping” and has seen a “steep decline” in recent years despite decades of growth she saw since joining the city’s police force in 1975.
Bedi stated that she knows “what it needs” and stressed that capital requires a feet-on-ground approach, not paperwork-heavy governance. She has appealed to the officials to step out every morning physically. “Officers need to walk the streets daily, 9 am before they head for the office, see the issues themselves, and not wait for reports alone,” she mentioned, calling this the only way to build coordinated, real-time solutions.
I cannot see my city #Delhi
suffer, to which I have given by entire life
And Delhi too gave me all that I am.
I am seeing it chocking and gasping.
Delhi has been in steep decline past few yearsI know what it needs.
It demands feet on ground.
Officers need to walk the…— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) November 29, 2025
“Forgive me to for pleading again,” Bedi urges PM to intervene
In another post on November 28. Bedi directly appealed to PM Modi, recalling how his regular virtual reviews during her regime as Puducherry Lt Governor had driven “time-bound” delivery across departments. Praising the PM’s leadership approach, Bedi said periodic Zoom meetings with the chief ministers and its neighbouring states, “even once a month” could prevent the pollution crisis.
Calls for structured accountability
Expanding on her concerns in the follow-up posts, Bedi outlined a multi-layered “responsibility plan”, stating that the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change should enforce national norms, whereas the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) must ensure uniform implementation across the NCR.
She further added that the Prime Minister’s Office should synchronise all key ministers to prevent fragmented responses. State governments, municipal bodies, district magistrates should enforce daily compliance on road dust, construction rules, industrial violations, road dust and traffic movement.
According to Bedi, the current winter pollution crisis persists because authorities are opting for “quick, temporary fixes” rather than long-term coordination, stronger monitoring and cleaner transport systems. She also raised questions on the widespread use of government-funded air purifiers in offices and official vehicles. She queried how insulated officials can access the real conditions outside.
Bedi recommended virtual review meetings chaired by the Prime Minister and the NRF chief ministers and chief secretaries for ensuring accountability. She also suggested that a message delivered through Mann ki Baat could mobilise citizens to adopt cleaner practices.
Delhi AQI update
Delhi’s air quality continued to remain hazardous on Sunday at 8:00 am, with the current AQI standing at 274. Mahesh Palawat, Vice President (Metrology and Climate Change) at Skymet Weather, told PTI that wind speeds are likely to stay relatively higher, which may prevent the Air Quality Index from slipping into the ‘severe’ category for at least the next 48 hours. Meanwhile, the city has been inhaling unfit air for more than two weeks, recording its 16th straight day in the ‘very poor range.
