Delhi CM Rekha Gupta presents Rs 1 lakh crore budget, saying it was visionary budget to develop National Capital

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who also holds the finance portfolio, presented the 2025-26 budget for the national capital on Tuesday, unveiling a ₹1 lakh crore outlay. She described it as a visionary financial roadmap aimed at transforming the city’s infrastructure, economy, and welfare schemes.

“Today marks a historic moment. This is not an ordinary budget; it resonates with the hopes of Delhi’s people and the entire country. Our financial plan is firmly rooted in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,’” Gupta said during her maiden budget speech in the Delhi Assembly.

During her speech, Gupta criticized the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government, accusing it of mismanagement and failing to deliver on promises.

“Over the past ten years, Delhi has witnessed a steady decline in governance. Public infrastructure, including the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), as well as water supply, sewer systems, and road conditions, deteriorated under the previous administration. There was a time when Delhi’s former leader promised to turn the city into ‘London,’ but in reality, all that remained were empty slogans on hoardings and advertisements,” she remarked.

Highlighting fiscal inefficiencies, she noted that under AAP’s leadership, the budget allocation had dropped from ₹78,000 crore to ₹76,000 crore. In contrast, the new administration under her leadership has proposed a 31.5% increase, raising the total budget to ₹1 lakh crore. Furthermore, she emphasized a significant boost in capital expenditure, which has surged from ₹15,000 crore to ₹28,000 crore in the new fiscal plan

Gupta unveiled several major allocations and policy initiatives, covering infrastructure, women’s welfare, business growth, and urban development.

• ₹5,100 crore allocated for the Mahila Samruddhi Scheme, aimed at empowering women through financial assistance and skill development.
• 50,000 CCTV cameras to be installed across Delhi to enhance women’s safety.

• The Delhi government has officially adopted the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which had been previously ignored by the AAP government.
• ₹2,144 crore allocated to provide an additional ₹5 lakh in health insurance coverage under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

• Recognizing Delhi’s declining business environment, Gupta announced special initiatives to revive the city as a commercial and trading hub.
• A new industrial policy under PM Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative will be introduced to support entrepreneurs and start-ups.
• A single-window system will be launched to facilitate business registration and industrial expansion.
• The government plans to redevelop industrial areas, ensuring that businesses no longer migrate to NCR cities due to poor infrastructure.
• A Traders’ Welfare Board will be established to support business owners.
• Delhi will host a Global Investment Summit every two years to attract foreign and domestic investors.

• ₹1,000 crore set aside for road connectivity projects and overall road improvements.
• ₹3,800 crore allocated to construct flyovers and improve urban infrastructure.
• ₹3,843 crore earmarked for road development initiatives.
• ₹1,400 crore set aside under the Chief Minister’s Road Development Fund.

• ₹697 crore allocated to DUSIB for the redevelopment of JJ clusters and slums.

• ₹9,000 crore allocated for sewage treatment, water supply enhancements, and cleaning of the Yamuna River.

Gupta emphasized that the budget reflects the government’s commitment to transforming Delhi into a world-class city, with a special focus on infrastructure, economic growth, and social welfare.

“This budget marks a new beginning for Delhi. We will bring back its lost glory and ensure that every citizen benefits from these developmental initiatives,” she concluded.

The ambitious ₹1 lakh crore budget sets the stage for massive urban reforms, business revival, and improved public services, signaling a new era for Delhi’s governance and development.