DELHI BUDGET FOCUSES ON TACKLING WATER CRISIS

Delhi Government has allocated Rs 9,000 crore to enhance water supply and clean Yamuna.

- Tikam Sharma

In a major step towards ensuring clean water and sanitation for all citizens, the Delhi Government has allocated a record-breaking Rs 9,000 crores for the water and sanitation sector in the Budget for 2025-26. This initiative aims to provide clean drinking water to the 3 crore residents of Delhi while significantly improving the city's sewage infrastructure.

Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously pledged that, if the BJP came to power, cleaning the Yamuna would be a top priority. Aligning with this vision, the Delhi government has introduced an extensive Rs 500-crore plan to rejuvenate the Yamuna River and upgrade Delhi's sewage systems, marking a significant environmental and infrastructural milestone for the capital. Additionally, to boost tourism and recreational activities, boat tours will be launched on the Yamuna River from Sonia Vihar to Jagatpur Shani Mandir under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

While presenting the budget, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta reaffirmed the government's commitment to Yamuna's restoration, stating, "Our dedication to cleaning the Yamuna remains steadfast. This is more than just a budget allocation—it is a pledge to the people of Delhi."