Big numbers from Delhi Budget 2025-26: Capex doubled to Rs 28,000 cr, Rs 9,000 cr for water and sanitation

Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta

Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta presented the BJP's first budget in 26 years on March 25, declaring it as "historic." The budget outlay, set at Rs 1 lakh crore, is 31.5 per cent higher than the previous year's.

"This is not an ordinary Budget, this Budget is the first step to develop Delhi which was ruined in the past 10 years. Delhi went down in every aspect of development in the past decade. The previous government ruined the economic health of the national capital like termites," Gupta, who also holds the Finance portfolio said.

Looking at the big numbers from Delhi Budget 2025-26:

Capital expenditure: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta announced nearly a twofold increase in capital expenditure this year, bringing it to Rs 28,000 crore. Additionally, a Rs 1,000 crore allocation has been made jointly with the Centre's Ministry of Road Transport to boost connectivity in the NCR region.

Yamuna cleaning: The Budget prioritises the cleaning and revitalisation of the Yamuna River, inspired by the success of the Sabarmati Riverfront project. Rs 500 crore has been allocated for this effort, ensuring that only treated water enters the river through the decentralisation of 40 sewage treatment plants (STPs).

Water and sanitation: Rs 500 crore has been earmarked for the repair and upgrading of STPs, while Rs 250 crore will be devoted to replacing old sewer lines. Additionally, Rs 9,000 crore has been allocated for clean drinking water and sanitation initiatives.

Healthcare: With an allocation of Rs 6,874 crore, the health sector's key priorities include the establishment of health and wellness centers and the expansion of the Ayushman Arogya Mandir program. The government will set up 400 new Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (primary healthcare centers) at a cost of Rs 320 crore.

The previous year, the AAP-led government, under then Finance Minister Atishi, had allocated Rs 8,685 crore for the health sector for 2024-25.

Women’s welfare: The Delhi government's Budget includes Rs 5,100 crore for the 'Mahila Samridhi Yojana', which will offer women in Delhi a monthly payment of Rs 2,500. Additionally, the government will install 50,000 CCTV cameras across the city to enhance women's safety.

Transport sector: Rekha Gupta announced that women will be provided with travel cards for free bus rides, replacing the current pink ticket system. Presenting the 2025-26 Budget, she said that Rs 12,952 crore has been designated for the transport sector to improve public transportation and urban mobility.

She highlighted that Delhi currently has 2,152 electric buses, and by 2025-26, the fleet will add more than 5,000 new buses.

Education and entrepreneurship: The chief minister has announced a series of initiatives aimed at boosting education and entrepreneurship, including CM Shri schools, language labs, modern computer labs, and start-up support centres. A sum of Rs 100 crore has been allocated to establish new CM Shri schools, while Rs 500 crore has been earmarked for building an education hub in Narela to enhance Delhi's educational infrastructure.

The chief minister also introduced a new scheme, 'New Era of Entrepreneurial Ecosystem and Vision', designed to instill business mindset in students, and allocated Rs 20 crore to support this initiative.

Pollution: The government has allocated Rs 300 crore to combat pollution, along with Rs 506 crore for the environment and forest department.

Other key areas: A total of Rs 696 crore has been set aside for the development of slum clusters, and Rs 100 crore will be used to open 100 Atal Canteens (subsidised food outlets for affordable meals) across Delhi. Rs 100 crore has been allocated for a pilot project to remove overhead electrical lines and shift high-tension power lines.

The Delhi government has set aside Rs 6,897 crore for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).