India's War on Pollution: Kiran Bedi Unveils 5 Radical Reforms for Cleaner Skies

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Former IPS officer and Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi has called for a drastic overhaul of India's institutions to tackle the country's air pollution crisis. In a recent blog, Bedi emphasized that half-measures won't suffice, and what's needed are institutions with genuine authority and staying power to deliver breathable air. Bedi argues that the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) lacks the leadership and administrative leverage to effectively address the issue. She proposes replacing the current leadership with a serving secretary-level officer who can coordinate across states and push for swift execution. To enhance the commission's impact, Bedi suggests integrating it into the Environment Ministry, allowing it to work closely with relevant departments and provide daily support. She also recommends creating a five-year 'Clean Air Mission Fund' to provide stable financing for monitoring networks, enforcement teams, and public-health communication. Furthermore, Bedi advocates for the creation of a dedicated enforcement wing within the CAQM, as well as a National Council of Environment Ministers to align standards, coordinate reforms, and ensure shared accountability across states. She also proposes establishing a National Clean Air Data Centre, powered by AI and real-time data integration, to enable predictive governance. The Supreme Court has recently directed the central government and CAQM to reassess their action plan for tackling air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region. Experts and environmental groups have long emphasized the need for a long-term structural plan to address the underlying causes of Delhi's chronic pollution. Bedi's reforms aim to address the systemic issues at the heart of India's air pollution crisis.