Delhi's ₹1.03 Lakh Crore Green & Infra Budget: Big Push for Buses, Schools & Water

Out of the total budget, ₹62,550 crore has been allocated for schemes and projects, while ₹41,150 crore has been earmarked for revenue and capital expenditure, according to the release.

The government's primary sources of income include ₹43,500 crore from GST and a total of ₹74,000 crore from its own tax revenue. Non-tax revenue is estimated at ₹900 crore. In addition, ₹3,931 crore will come from centrally sponsored schemes, ₹968 crore as central assistance, ₹591 crore from the central road fund, ₹1,500 crore under the Swachh Ganga Mission, and ₹100 crore for disaster management. The government also plans to raise ₹16,700 crore through market borrowings.

In terms of sectoral allocation, education received the highest share at ₹19,326 crore, accounting for 18.64 per cent of the budget, followed by health at ₹13,034 crore (12.57 per cent). Transport and roads have been allocated ₹12,613 crore, housing and urban development ₹11,572 crore, social security ₹10,537 crore, and water and sanitation ₹9,000 crore.

A significant highlight of the budget is the green allocation, with 21.44 per cent of the total budget, amounting to ₹22,236 crore, dedicated to environmental initiatives, including pollution control, expansion of green areas, waste management, and clean energy.

On infrastructure, ₹11,266 crore has been allocated to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, ₹5,921 crore to the Public Works Department, and ₹7,887 crore for urban development. The government plans redevelopment of 750 kilometres of roads with an allocation of ₹1,392 crore and ₹800 crore for unauthorised colonies. MLA funds have been set at ₹350 crore, and new fruit and vegetable markets will also be developed.

For water and sanitation, ₹9,000 crore has been allocated to the Delhi Jal Board to improve water supply, expand pipelines, and increase sewage treatment capacity from 707 MGD to 814 MGD.

In the health sector, ₹12,645 crore has been earmarked, including ₹150 crore for ICU and hospital projects, ₹787 crore for medicines and equipment, and ₹202 crore for the expansion of the Ayushman scheme. More than 750 new health centers will be established, and ₹25 crore has been allocated for the ANMOL scheme for newborn screening.

The education sector has been allocated ₹19,148 crore, with ₹200 crore for new school buildings and ₹275 crore for expansion. Other initiatives include ₹90 crore for providing bicycles to girl students, ₹10 crore for laptops to meritorious students, ₹150 crore for smart classrooms, and ₹720 crore for technical education.

Under social empowerment, ₹7,406 crore has been allocated to women and child development. Key schemes include ₹5,110 crore for the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana, ₹450 crore for free bus travel for women and transgender persons, ₹260 crore for free LPG cylinders, and ₹128 crore for the "Lakhpati Beti Yojana."

The transport sector has received ₹8,374 crore, with plans to introduce 6,130 new electric buses and a target of 7,500 buses by 2027. Metro expansion has been allocated ₹2,885 crore, and ₹200 crore has been set aside for the EV policy.

To improve governance, the government will establish 13 mini secretariats with an allocation of ₹100 crore, digitize land records, and set up a new think tank named DITI.

In industry and employment, ₹48 crore has been allocated for MSMEs, with plans to train 32,000 enterprises and introduce semiconductor and drone policies.

The tourism sector has been allocated ₹412 crore, which includes plans for an international film festival, installation of 1,000 modern toilets, and city beautification initiatives.

For environmental protection, ₹300 crore has been allocated for pollution control measures, along with ₹204 crore for the MCD to tackle pollution. The government also plans to enhance waste processing capacity and introduce a carbon credit scheme.

- ANI