Delhi to get six new air quality stations to fight pollution

The Delhi Government has allocated a significant Budget for environmental reforms under the 2025-26 fiscal plan with the addition of six new Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring (CAAQM) stations across the national capital. These stations will provide real-time monitoring of air pollution levels.

CM Rekha Gupta said: “Rickety roads, polluted Yamuna, overflowing sewers, pathetic condition of health facilities and horrific stifling air due to air pollution are clear evidence of the governance and policies of the previous government.”

“The newly elected Delhi Government is committed to providing uninterrupted and affordable electricity to every citizen of the Capital. This Budget is an important step towards making Delhi self-reliant in the field of energy and a clean future,” she added.

The Delhi Government has allocated Rs 506 crore to the Environment and Forest Departments. These funds will be utilised for environmental monitoring and timely implementation of pollution control projects.

Additionally, Rs 300 crore has been earmarked under the “Pollution Control and Emergency Measures” scheme to facilitate necessary reforms.

Apart from pollution control, the government allocated Rs 3,847 crore to the Power Department.

Among key initiative was the signing of an memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to implement the ‘PM Surya Ghar: Free Electricity Scheme’ in Delhi, offering subsidies of up to Rs 78,000 to residential consumers installing solar panels.

Additionally, a new scheme, ‘PM Surya Ghar: Free Electricity Scheme – State Top Up,’ with a budget of Rs 50 crore has been proposed to equip 2.3 lakh residential rooftops with solar panels over the next three years.

The government is also focused on infrastructure improvements to enhance Delhi’s power reliability and urban aesthetics. The initiative titled “taaron ke jaal se mukti (freedom from the web of wires)” aimed to remove overhead cables across the city, with Rs 100 crore allocated for this purpose.

Further, Rs 20 crore has been allocated under the “Delhi Parks and Garden Society” scheme to support Resident Welfare Associations, Non-Government Organisations and societies in maintaining parks and gardens.

The government also announced the establishment of 32 water quality monitoring stations across the Yamuna and various drains in Delhi. These stations will enable real-time monitoring of water quality.

To streamline environmental and urban management efforts, the government plans to establish an “Integrated Command and Control Center (ICCC)” in Delhi. This centralised system will oversee various environmental and urban management functions.