Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Unveils ₹9,000 Crore Plan to Solve Drinking Water Crisis
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced a ₹9,000 crore initiative to address the city’s drinking water crisis. This plan was revealed during the annual budget presentation in the state assembly and focuses on improving water supply infrastructure, enhancing sanitation, and ensuring rainwater conservation.
While presenting the ₹1 lakh crore budget—the BJP’s first in Delhi in 28 years—Gupta emphasized the critical importance of clean drinking water, describing it as the foundation of civilization and a guarantee of a healthy life. She stated, “Water is not just a gift of nature; it is the basis of civilization. Clean water is the guarantee of a healthy life, and clean rivers are the identity of cultures. Providing clean water and sanitation to every Delhi citizen is our government’s primary responsibility.”
Addressing Delhi’s Water Demand
Currently, Delhi’s daily water demand is 1,290 million gallons per day (MGD), while the supply capacity is only 1,000 MGD. The ₹9,000 crore investment aims to close this gap through various measures, including the installation of new borewells, intelligent metering, and replacing open canals with pipelines.
Major Budget Highlights
The ₹1 lakh crore budget represents a 31.5% increase from the previous year and prioritizes several key areas, including:
– Women’s Welfare: ₹5,100 crore allocated for a pre-poll promise of ₹2,500 monthly aid for eligible women.
– Yamuna River Cleanup: ₹1,250 crore earmarked, including ₹500 crore for a network of 40 decentralized sewage treatment plants, ₹500 crore for upgrading existing plants, and ₹250 crore for repairing old sewer lines.
– Modern Gaushalas: ₹40 crore to improve cattle shelters.
– Public Safety: 50,000 new CCTV cameras for women’s safety and a ‘common pass’ for free travel on public buses.
– Education Reforms: Plans for CM-SHRI schools aligned with the new National Education Policy, as well as ₹750 crore to provide 1,200 students with laptops.
– Healthcare Boost: ₹6,874 crore allocated for healthcare infrastructure, including an expansion of the Ayushman Arogya Mandir initiative.
– Slum Development: ₹696 crore for slum rehabilitation projects.
– Pollution Control: ₹300 crore to combat air pollution, especially during winter when AQI levels exceed hazardous limits.
Water Conservation and Infrastructure Upgrades
The ₹9,000 crore water initiative is part of a broader strategy to modernize Delhi’s water infrastructure. Key components of the project include:
– Upgrading pipelines to prevent leakages and wastage.
– Installing smart water meters to monitor and regulate usage efficiently.
– Setting up additional borewells to ensure reliable water access.
– Implementing rainwater harvesting systems to improve groundwater levels.
A Historic Budget with a Vision for the Future
During her speech, CM Gupta criticized previous administrations for neglecting infrastructure development, stating, “This is not an ordinary budget; it is the first step to develop Delhi, which has been neglected over the past 10 years. Delhi has declined in every aspect of development, and previous governments have ruined the city’s economic health like termites.”
With a focus on improving Delhi’s infrastructure and public services, this budget signals a shift in governance priorities. The approval of ₹9,000 crore for water projects is expected to significantly enhance living conditions in Delhi, ensuring that clean drinking water reaches every household.
As the government moves forward with this ambitious plan, citizens will be closely monitoring how effectively these funds are utilized to bring lasting change to Delhi’s water infrastructure.
