New Delhi – Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday stressed the critical importance of reducing dependence on private vehicles and controlling vehicular emissions to effectively tackle Delhi’s persistent air pollution crisis. The chief minister highlighted that strengthening Delhi public transport infrastructure remains essential to addressing environmental degradation and improving air quality across the National Capital Region.
Substantial Budget Increase for Transport Infrastructure
In a significant policy announcement, CM Gupta revealed that the Delhi government has allocated ₹9,110 crore in the 2025-26 budget for the capital’s Delhi public transport system. This represents a substantial increase from the ₹5,702 crore earmarked in the 2024-25 fiscal year, demonstrating the government’s commitment to expanding and modernizing transportation infrastructure across the city.
The enhanced budget allocation reflects the administration’s recognition that robust Delhi public transport infrastructure is fundamental to reducing air pollution and providing citizens with viable alternatives to private vehicle usage. This investment aims to create a comprehensive transportation network that can effectively serve the growing population of the National Capital Region.
Vehicular Emissions Identified as Major Pollution Source
According to data from the Centre for Science and Environment and other government and research-based institutions, vehicular emissions constitute a major contributor to environmental degradation and pollution throughout the Delhi-NCR region. The chief minister emphasized that this scientific evidence underscores the urgent need to strengthen Delhi public transport as a primary strategy for pollution mitigation.
Gupta stated that the National Capital Region requires a robust Delhi public transport system with comprehensive last-mile connectivity to provide citizens with convenient alternatives to private vehicle ownership. Her government is actively working towards establishing a reliable, extensive, and convenient transportation network that can meet the diverse mobility needs of Delhi’s residents.
Metro Expansion Receives Record Funding
The budget allocation for Delhi public transport includes unprecedented funding for Delhi Metro Rail Corporation expansion projects. While the previous government had allocated approximately ₹500 crore for Metro projects last year, the current administration has earmarked ₹2,929 crore for 2025-26, representing nearly a six-fold increase in Metro-specific funding.
This massive investment in Delhi public transport infrastructure through Metro expansion demonstrates the government’s strategic focus on mass rapid transit as a solution to the capital’s transportation and pollution challenges. The enhanced funding will accelerate project timelines and enable more ambitious expansion plans across the city.
Three Major Metro Corridors Approved
The Cabinet has approved three major corridors under Phase IV of the Mass Rapid Transit System, marking a significant expansion of Delhi public transport coverage. The approved corridors include the Lajpat Nagar to Saket route, the Inderlok to Indraprastha corridor, and the Rithala to Kundli route extending into Haryana.
These Phase IV corridors will significantly enhance Delhi public transport connectivity, providing seamless travel options across previously underserved areas and improving inter-state connectivity between Delhi and neighboring Haryana. The expansion will bring Metro services to thousands of additional residents and reduce their reliance on private vehicles.
Clearing Historical Financial Liabilities
In addition to funding new projects, the government is addressing pending financial obligations from earlier Metro phases. Nearly ₹2,700 crore in liabilities related to Phases I, II, and III of the Delhi public transport Metro project are being systematically cleared, ensuring financial sustainability for ongoing and future infrastructure development.
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The Delhi government is bearing a total financial responsibility of ₹3,386.18 crore for these Metro expansion initiatives. An amount of ₹940 crore has already been released during the current financial year, while the next installment of ₹336 crore is currently being processed, demonstrating the administration’s commitment to timely project execution.
Last-Mile Connectivity Prioritized
Chief Minister Gupta emphasized that effective Delhi public transport requires comprehensive last-mile connectivity solutions to ensure passengers can seamlessly reach their final destinations. The government is working towards integrating various transportation modes including buses, Metro, and other transit options to create a cohesive network that eliminates gaps in service coverage.
This integrated approach to Delhi public transport planning recognizes that even the most extensive Metro network cannot succeed without efficient feeder services and complementary transportation options that connect residential areas, commercial centers, and transit hubs throughout the capital.
Criticism of Previous Administration
Taking aim at previous governments, CM Gupta asserted that if earlier administrations had demonstrated greater seriousness towards the capital’s transportation infrastructure, Delhi would not be confronting such severe pollution challenges today. She argued that the neglect of Delhi public transport expansion by previous governments had contributed significantly to the current pollution crisis facing the Delhi-NCR region.
The chief minister’s statement implies that inadequate investment in Delhi public transport over previous years forced more residents to rely on private vehicles, exacerbating vehicular emissions and contributing to deteriorating air quality. The current administration positions itself as correcting these historical policy failures through substantial infrastructure investments.
Political Response Awaited
No immediate reaction to the chief minister’s allegations was available from the Aam Aadmi Party, the previous ruling party in Delhi. The AAP’s response to the criticism regarding Delhi public transport investment during their tenure remains pending, as political stakeholders assess the implications of the current government’s transportation policy announcements.
Strategic Vision for Pollution Control
The comprehensive approach to strengthening Delhi public transport represents the government’s strategic vision for addressing the capital’s air pollution crisis through systemic infrastructure development rather than temporary measures. By providing citizens with reliable, extensive, and convenient Delhi public transport alternatives, the administration aims to fundamentally reduce private vehicle dependence and create lasting improvements in air quality across the National Capital Region.
