Delhi CM unveils plans to combat pollution, boost public transport

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta outlined a series of ambitious initiatives on Wednesday aimed at addressing air pollution and strengthening public transport in the national capital. Speaking in the Delhi Legislative Assembly, she highlighted key projects, including the deployment of 11,000 buses by 2026, large-scale afforestation efforts and stricter pollution control measures.

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Her remarks came during discussions on the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on vehicular pollution, where she criticised the previous administration for mishandling funds and neglecting public transport. In contrast, she said the current government is taking concrete steps to improve air quality and the city’s infrastructure.

One of the major announcements was the expansion of Delhi’s bus fleet. Gupta said while the city currently operates only 6,484 buses, it needs at least 11,000 to meet the growing demand. In line with the Supreme Court’s recommendations, the government plans to deploy the additional buses by 2026. She said the initiative would also involve rationalising bus routes for improved efficiency.

Additionally, the government aims to strengthen Delhi’s electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem. Plans include establishing 18,000 public charging stations and 30,000 private or semi-private ones by 2026. The government would also introduce a new EV policy to promote private electric vehicle ownership, as currently, only 11 per cent of annual vehicle purchases are electric, with the majority being two-wheelers. The goal is to significantly increase these numbers.

CM Gupta also announced a ban on diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years. Strict enforcement measures would ensure compliance. Furthermore, all vehicles entering Delhi would be required to have valid pollution certificates, addressing a gap in pollution monitoring that has persisted for years.

To improve enforcement, the government would install 500 new cameras at major traffic junctions under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. These cameras would detect expired vehicle registrations and identify high-emission vehicles. Additionally, the government plans to move Delhi’s Interstate Bus Terminals (ISBTs) to the outskirts to reduce congestion and improve air quality in central areas.

The government would also expand its air monitoring infrastructure by adding six new stations to the existing 40, providing accurate data to target pollution reduction efforts. Recognising the impact of dust pollution, an urban development plan will be implemented, including road repairs, paving open spaces and increasing greenery in brownfield areas. To combat dust and particulate matter, 1,000 new water sprinklers would be deployed year-round across Delhi’s 250 municipal wards.

In a major governance overhaul, an Integrated Command and Control Centre would be established to oversee pollution control, waste management and sanitation. Real-time data monitoring would allow swift responses to environmental challenges.

CM Gupta further emphasised the government’s commitment to tackling construction and demolition (C&D) waste. Delhi’s waste processing capacity would be increased from 5,000 to 6,000 tonnes per day. The previous government’s failure to act on Delhi’s three major landfill sites, despite central funding under the Swachh Bharat Mission, was criticised. The new administration would review landfill site clearance progress every three months.

A new eco-park for the scientific disposal of electronic waste (e-waste) would be developed, ensuring proper recycling and minimising environmental damage. Afforestation efforts would be stepped up, with a target of planting 70 lakh trees across the city this year. School students, educational institutions, social organisations and local committees would be engaged in this campaign. A “Paryavaran Rakshak” initiative would also be launched to train and recognise citizens who actively contribute to environmental protection.