Delhi CM Rekha Gupta rolls out heritage, power infra projects
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday inaugurated a series of projects to preserve the capital’s historic character while strengthening its power infrastructure, including a major initiative to shift overhead electricity cables underground in Chandni Chowk.
The Rs 159.75 crore project would remove dangling wires across 28 historic streets and lanes, laying 52.5 kilometres of underground power lines, installing 500 new feeder pillars and adding decorative street lighting. It will also deploy modern “digital twin” technology for monitoring. The phased night-time work is expected to benefit 10,000 consumers, reduce fire hazards, improve supply reliability and enhance the area’s aesthetics.
Describing Chandni Chowk as more than a marketplace and a living symbol of India’s cultural and commercial heritage, Gupta said the project would make the area safer, more organised and more tourism-friendly. She added that development funds for the Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha constituency could rise from the initially promised Rs 100 crore to Rs 1,000 crore, depending on emerging needs. Redevelopment of 28 roads is already under way. Gupta has retained charge of the Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Board to oversee issues related to roads, parking, encroachments and public conveniences.
Separately, Gupta laid the foundation stone for a 66/11 kV GIS grid sub-station at Mandoli with a capacity of 63 MVA. The Rs 55.5 crore project, scheduled for completion within 18 months, will provide stable power to 1.5 lakh consumers in Mandoli, Harsh Vihar, Bank Colony and nearby areas. It will also serve key institutions including Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital, Mandoli Jail and the DTC EV bus depot.
Gupta also inaugurated four Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects at Shivalik, Dwarka and Goyla Khurd, slated for completion by March 2027.
Energy Minister Ashish Sood said the initiatives mark a forward-looking transformation of Delhi’s power sector. Under a Rs 436 crore plan, overhead wiring is being placed underground in Chandni Chowk and other areas, while additional BESS projects aim to ensure stable peak-hour supply. A Rs 17,000 crore power infrastructure roadmap has been approved for the next three years to meet rising energy demand.
