Focus on pollution, Delhi govt allocates additional Rs 496 crore to fix roads

With focus on curbing dust pollution and improving air quality in the Capital, the BJP-led Delhi government has allocated an additional Rs 496 crore for strengthening of roads and Rs 180 crore for the Yamuna Action Plan as part of the Revised Estimates (RE) for 2025-26, the Assembly was told on Friday.

Cleaning the Yamuna, overhauling road infrastructure, improving water supply and sanitation, and addressing waterlogging have emerged as major priorities in the government’s Rs 1 lakh crore budget for 2025–26.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who also holds the Finance portfolio, on Friday presented the Delhi Appropriation Bill in the Assembly, seeking supplementary grants to meet expenditure as per the revised estimates. The Bill was passed by the House through a voice vote.

To fulfil poll promises like procurement of electric buses, road repair and resurfacing, and construction of flyovers and bridges to ease traffic congestion, the government has increased Transport sector’s allocation from Rs 12,952 crore in the Budget Estimates (BE) to Rs 16,024 crore in the Revised Estimates (RE) for 2025-26 – nearly 16% of the total Budget.

The government aims to renovate 400 km of roads by March and another 600 km by the end of the year. An additional Rs 100 crore has also been allocated to complete the long-pending Barapullah Phase III elevated corridor.

Further, the government has increased the allocation for the Housing and Urban Development sector to Rs 11,754 crore – up from Rs 10,694 crore (BE) – to purchase mechanical road sweeping machines, water sprinklers and anti-smog guns as well as develop unauthorised colonies.

To strengthen waste management infrastructure, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has been given an additional Rs 1,031 crore, along with Rs 115 crore under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan Mission.

The budget for education, meanwhile, has been increased from Rs 19,291 crore to Rs 20,702 crore.

To provide power subsidies to Delhi residents, the government has increased the allocation under the head ‘Subsidy to Electricity Consumers through Discoms’ by Rs 400 crore – from Rs 3,600 crore to Rs 4,000 crore. Under the scheme, households receive free electricity up to 200 units and a 50% subsidy up to 400 units, with consumption typically lower during winter.

The government has also allocated Rs 1,000 crore more as loan to the Delhi Jal Board, raising it from Rs 2,500 crore to Rs 3,500 crore. The Delhi Transport Corporation, meanwhile, has received an additional Rs 653 crore, raising its allocation to Rs 3,433 crore.

Other capital-intensive projects which received a boost included Delhi Metro Phase IV projects, DTC buses, construction of bus depots, schools and additional classrooms, installation of CCTV cameras, and other infrastructure projects.

While the overall Budget remains unchanged at Rs 1 lakh crore, allocations under schemes and projects have been reduced from Rs 59,300 crore to Rs 57,850 crore. Meanwhile, establishment expenditure has risen from Rs 40,700 crore to Rs 42,150 crore.

The revenue budget, meanwhile, has decreased from Rs 71,885 crore to Rs 69,753 crore, while capital expenditure has increased from Rs 28,115 crore to Rs 30,248 crore.

“The previous governments had not made requisite capital investment in Delhi. As a result, we now have to ensure sustainable development by significantly enhancing capital investment… Capital expenditure in this RE is 163% higher than the actual capital expenditure of the previous year,” an official said.

The government, meanwhile, has allocated an additional Rs 500 crore for the purchase of land and flats for universities. Another Rs 500 crore has been allocated to clear legacy liabilities when it comes to eastern and western peripheral expressways.

Moreover, Rs 825 crore has been provided for projects under ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment’ scheme. The government has also increased funding by Rs 140 crore to clear pending tuition fee reimbursement liabilities under the RTE Act, raising the allocation to Rs 510 crore.

A senior official said the Mahila Samriddhi Scheme – eligible women from economically weaker families are to receive Rs 2,500 – will not be implemented in the current financial year. The scheme, a key BJP poll promise, has been allocated Rs 5,100 crore in the BE.