Former top cop Kiran Bedi made an impassioned appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday for immediate action on deteriorating air pollution levels in Delhi. Several parts of the national capital recorded AQI levels of 369, placing the city in the ‘very poor’ category.
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Bedi recounts PM's 'effective' leadership
Taking to X, Bedi directly addressed the prime minister, referring to his “very effective” Zoom sessions with officials during her tenure as Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry. “Sir please forgive me for pleading again. But I have seen your very effective Zoom sessions during my time in Puducherry. How you got everybody to deliver and perform time-bound in several national challenges. How ever But I have seen your very effective Zoom sessions during my time in Puducherry. How you got everybody to deliver and perform time bound in several national challenges. How everyone was inspired to meet the deadlines and the goals,” she tweeted.
She called upon PM Modi to adopt a similar approach towards dealing with Delhi's pollution-for instance, virtual monthly meetings with Chief Ministers and Chief Secretaries of the neighbouring states. Bedi said that such monitoring would give hope to the citizens and a sense of relief that the issue is being actively monitored.
Mann Ki Baat could highlight awareness of pollution
Bedi also suggested that the prime minister address the air pollution crisis during his upcoming Mann Ki Baat session. She said the address should be structured to educate all age groups on their role in reducing pollution. “Delhi was waiting for a ‘double engine’ in this respect too, to undo the damage done last 10 years,” she added.
Pollution crisis worsens in Delhi
The former Lieutenant Governor has recently been raising air quality concerns on X, evoking the need for cooperation among states and officials. She underlined how Delhi’s pollution is not an accident but “an outcome of decades without true coordination in governance.”
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The AQI has stayed within the ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’ range in the capital for the last fortnight, amidst continued anti-pollution efforts. According to the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, the city is expected to have ‘very poor’ air quality during the week ahead.
