KKN Gurugram Desk | The 2025-26 Delhi Budget session began with significant announcements made by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who presented an ambitious budget of ₹80,000 crore. This budget focuses on Delhi’s development under the theme “Viksit Dilli” (Developed Delhi), aiming to position the national capital as a modern and prosperous city. The budget highlights key investments in sectors like women’s welfare, urban development, healthcare, education, and water management, with a particular focus on improving the lives of women and addressing the issues surrounding the Yamuna river.

This is the first budget presented by the BJP government after 27 years, marking a major milestone for the party’s return to power in Delhi. In her speech, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta emphasized that this budget is designed to benefit every section of society and cater to the needs of Delhi’s diverse population.

Key Highlights of the Delhi Budget 2025-26

The Delhi Budget 2025 has introduced several groundbreaking initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for the people of Delhi. Here are some of the major announcements made by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta:

1. Ayushman Bharat and Health Initiatives

   • A significant allocation of ₹2144 crore has been made for the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Chief Minister Gupta accused former CM Arvind Kejriwal of stalling the implementation of this health scheme due to personal reasons. Under this scheme, Delhi residents will receive top-up coverage of ₹5 lakh in addition to the ₹5 lakh provided by the central government, benefiting thousands of Delhiites.

   • ₹320 crore has been allocated for improving health services, including the establishment of new Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs) and Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs (AAMs).

   • Additionally, ₹1,667 crore has been proposed for critical care and diagnostic infrastructure under the PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM).

2. Electric Bus Fleet Expansion

   • As part of its commitment to a greener and cleaner city, the Delhi government has announced the inclusion of over 5,000 electric buses under the PM E-Drive Scheme. This will make Delhi the second city in the world with the largest electric bus fleet.

   • A budget of ₹1,000 crore has been allocated for urban transportation projects to support the expansion of electric buses and improve public transport systems across the city.

3. Social Welfare and Women Empowerment

   • The Delhi government has significantly increased the budget for social welfare programs. A total of ₹10,047 crore has been allocated for social welfare, including programs for women, children, and scheduled castes/tribes, marking an increase from ₹6,209 crore in the previous year.

   • For the empowerment of women, a total of ₹5,100 crore has been allocated for the Women’s Prosperity Scheme, which includes providing ₹2,500 as rewards to women.

4. Educational Initiatives

   • In a major push for education, the government has announced the provision of ₹750 crore for the “Laptop Scheme” to distribute free laptops to 1,200 students who have passed the 10th grade.

   • The budget includes ₹100 crore for the creation of smart classrooms, ₹50 crore for setting up 175 new computer labs, and ₹21 crore for the “Atal Vidya Shakti Mission,” which aims to provide professional guidance to students preparing for competitive exams like JEE, NEET, and CLAT.

5. Yamuna River and Water Management

   • A significant ₹500 crore has been earmarked for the cleaning and revitalization of the Yamuna River, which has been a long-standing concern for the residents of Delhi. The government plans to establish decentralized sewage treatment plants (STPs) to prevent untreated sewage from entering the river.

   • In addition, ₹2,000 crore will be requested from the central government to enhance the water and sewage infrastructure in the city, ensuring a cleaner and safer water supply for Delhi’s residents.

   • The government also plans to reduce water leakage and prevent illegal water usage by installing GPS trackers on water tankers and monitoring the water distribution system.

6. Tourism Development

   • A major step has been taken to boost tourism in Delhi, with a ₹117 crore budget allocated for tourism development. This is a significant increase from last year’s ₹70 crore budget. A key initiative is the launch of the Yamuna River Boat Tourism project, which will provide boat tours along the river from Sonia Vihar to the Jagatpur Shani Temple.

   • Additionally, the government has partnered with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to develop river tourism in the city.

7. Housing and Urban Development

   • Delhi’s housing situation will see significant improvements under the new budget. ₹696 crore has been allocated for the development of housing for the underprivileged, particularly focusing on slum areas and providing decent housing for residents living in substandard conditions.

   • A new warehouse policy is also in the works to promote industrial growth and ease of doing business, with a focus on reducing bureaucratic hurdles for businesses.

8. Infrastructure Development

   • Delhi’s infrastructure will receive a major overhaul with a focus on road development, water supply, and sanitation. ₹900 crore has been allocated for water infrastructure projects, including the creation of new water pipelines and the development of modern sewage systems.

   • Furthermore, ₹350 crore has been set aside for the creation of new educational and health infrastructure, including upgrading the Pusa and Shahdara ITI campuses to world-class standards.

9. Food Security

   • A ₹100 crore provision has been made for the launch of 100 “Atal Canteens” to provide affordable and nutritious food to all sections of society. This initiative is aimed at ensuring food security for the underprivileged and providing easy access to healthy meals at subsidized rates.

10. Industrial and Business Growth

• The Delhi government plans to introduce a new industrial policy that will focus on improving the ease of doing business in the city. This will include a single-window system for business approvals, making it easier for entrepreneurs to set up and operate their businesses in Delhi.

The 2025 Delhi Budget presented by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta represents a bold step towards making Delhi a developed and prosperous city. With a focus on key areas such as healthcare, education, women’s welfare, infrastructure, and water management, the budget aims to address the pressing needs of the city’s residents while also promoting sustainable growth and development.

The allocation of funds for the cleaning of the Yamuna, the expansion of the electric bus fleet, and the focus on social welfare and tourism development indicate that the government is committed to building a modern and sustainable future for Delhi. The increased budget for education, healthcare, and housing reflects the government’s dedication to improving the quality of life for all residents, particularly the underprivileged.