New Delhi, November 29, 2025 – Former IPS officer and ex-Delhi BJP chief ministerial candidate Kiran Bedi has proposed a controversial measure to confront India’s worsening air pollution: she wants air purifiers banned in government offices and official residences. Bedi argues that government officials must experience the hazards of polluted air directly if they are to truly appreciate the urgency of tackling the problem.

In a series of posts on X, Bedi questioned the widespread reliance on air purifiers in government workplaces. “How about installation of air purifiers in government offices and residences at government cost being banned?” she wrote. She argued that such insulation prevents officials from witnessing the real-life consequences of air pollution and reduces their incentive to visit field locations or pollution hot spots.

Bedi emphasized the human cost of poor air quality, pointing out that millions of citizens are enduring symptoms such as chest congestion, sneezing, coughing, fever, and low energy. “All need healthy air. It’s a right,” she said. She called for governance to be grounded in reality, insisting that officials should “stand in the dust, breathe the same air, and act with urgency.”

Her remarks came a day after she made a public appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to personally intervene and accelerate pollution control measures in the national capital. Bedi cited her past experience with Modi’s leadership style during her tenure as Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry to underscore the need for decisive action.

Bedi’s statements highlight the growing concern over Delhi’s deteriorating air quality. On Saturday at 5 pm, the city recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) in the “poor” category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The CPCB classifies air quality as ‘good’ for an AQI of 50 or below; ‘satisfactory’ for 51–100; ‘moderate’ for 101–200; ‘poor’ for 201–300; ‘very poor’ for 301–400; and ‘severe’ for readings above 400. Meteorologists have warned that the air quality is expected to remain in the ‘very poor’ zone for the coming days. Shallow fog was also forecast for Sunday by the India Meteorological Department, with temperatures expected to range from a maximum of 24°C to a minimum of 9°C.

Bedi’s proposal has stirred debate about the role of officials in environmental governance. She argues that insulation from environmental hazards can lead to a disconnect between policymakers and the citizens affected by those hazards. By removing air purifiers, she believes officials will be forced to confront the reality of pollution and take urgent remedial measures.

Meanwhile, concerns over air pollution are not limited to Delhi. In Mumbai, the Bombay High Court has highlighted the need for stricter enforcement of pollution-control guidelines at construction sites. A bench comprising Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad set up an independent five-member committee to inspect active construction projects. The panel, which includes officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), and the state public health department, has been tasked with ensuring compliance with existing guidelines.

The court’s intervention comes after several petitions highlighted Mumbai’s steadily worsening AQI, particularly due to dust and particulate emissions from ongoing construction. The BMC and MPCB have been directed to submit a detailed report by December 15 outlining measures taken over the past year to control pollution from construction activities.

Kiran Bedi’s call for banning air purifiers in government offices adds a new dimension to the debate on tackling urban air pollution. While some view it as a radical approach to make policymakers experience the public’s daily struggles, others argue that it could disrupt work and place officials at health risk.

Her proposals, coupled with ongoing legal and administrative efforts in cities like Mumbai, underscore the complexity of tackling air pollution in India. Experts note that real change requires a combination of public awareness, strict regulatory enforcement, and leadership that experiences firsthand the challenges faced by citizens living in heavily polluted environments.

Bedi’s comments have reignited discussion over how policy decisions are informed. By insisting that officials confront pollution without technological insulation, she seeks to bridge the gap between governance and lived reality. As Delhi faces days of very poor air quality, the debate around experiential policymaking versus administrative convenience continues to gain attention across the country.