New Delhi | Special Correspondent: Arun Sharma

In a decisive move to make the national capital cleaner and pollution-free, the Delhi Government has approved a one-time grant of ₹500 crore to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), marking one of the strongest interventions yet to overhaul sanitation, waste management and dust control in the city.


Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, while announcing the package, made it clear that the government is committed not just to short-term fixes but to building a sustainable, long-term sanitation ecosystem for Delhi. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting attended by senior ministers, MCD officials and top bureaucrats.


A Government That Acts, Not Just Assures
The ₹500-crore assistance is aimed at strengthening Delhi’s sanitation infrastructure, ensuring uninterrupted garbage collection and tackling dust pollution—one of the biggest contributors to the city’s poor air quality.


Officials said a significant portion of the fund will be used to clear long-pending dues of waste-management agencies, enabling them to function smoothly without service disruptions. The move is expected to immediately improve garbage lifting and sanitation services across the city.


Roads, Dust and Air Quality in Focus
Part of the grant will be spent on minor road repairs, pothole filling and patchwork, a step designed to curb dust pollution at its source. By linking sanitation funding directly with air-quality improvement, the Delhi Government has sent a strong signal of integrated governance.


Technology-Driven Waste Management
CM Rekha Gupta also directed MCD to:
Install modern waste-processing machines in every Assembly constituency
Set up new waste-to-energy plants and upgrade existing facilities
Strengthen segregation and collection of wet and dry waste to promote green waste management
“These reforms will not only clean Delhi but also turn waste into a resource,” officials said.


Strict Monitoring, Zero Diversion
The Chief Minister stressed that the ₹500-crore fund must be used strictly for approved purposes. Regular monitoring, mandatory progress reports and submission of utilisation certificates (UCs) have been made compulsory to ensure transparency and accountability.


Annual Support of ₹300 Crore Announced
In another major assurance, the Delhi Government announced that it will provide ₹300 crore every year to MCD as regular assistance, ensuring that sanitation and waste-management reforms continue without financial hurdles.


A Model for Urban Governance
The dual commitment—₹500 crore immediate support and ₹300 crore annual funding—positions Delhi as a national model for proactive urban governance. By combining financial backing, strict oversight and modern technology, the Delhi Government has demonstrated political will and administrative clarity in its fight against pollution.


With this bold initiative, Delhi has made it clear: clean air and a clean city are no longer promises, but priorities backed by action.