Delhi Government Announces Significant Budget Increase for Municipal Corporation
The Delhi government has taken a major step toward enhancing urban infrastructure by substantially increasing its financial support to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. On Tuesday, the administration revealed a 19.6% budgetary hike for the civic body, signaling a robust commitment to improving urban services across the capital.
Financial Allocation Details and Year-on-Year Growth
For the fiscal year 2026–27, the government has earmarked Rs 11,266 crore for MCD operations, marking a significant increase from the Rs 10,537 crore allocated in the current fiscal year. This represents the second consecutive year of enhanced funding under the current administration. In 2025–26, MCD received a substantial 25% increase—amounting to Rs 2,114 crore—compared to the Rs 8,423 crore allocated in 2024–25.
Beyond the core allocation, the government has made a special provision of Rs 1,000 crore specifically designated for improving internal roads and repairing stretches in residential colonies. This brings the overall increase in financial support to Rs 2,063 crore, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to urban infrastructure development.
Government's Vision and Additional Municipal Support
Presenting the budget, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta emphasized that the enhanced allocation reflects the government's dedication to strengthening urban governance. "The amount allocated to MCD is significantly higher compared to previous years," Gupta stated during her budget presentation. "We have also proposed financial assistance of Rs 146 crore for New Delhi Municipal Council and Delhi Cantonment Board. The vision of 'Viksit Delhi – Harit Delhi' will gain triple speed through the triple engine."
The government has allocated substantial resources for pollution-control measures, with Rs 204 crore designated for MCD and Rs 300 crore for the Public Works Department. Overall, the pollution-control scheme will receive Rs 2,300 crore, which will be disbursed over a three to four-year period to ensure sustained environmental improvement.
Comprehensive Waste Management Initiatives
The budget includes separate allocations specifically designed to boost waste management systems throughout Delhi. These initiatives focus on multiple aspects of waste processing and environmental protection:
- Increasing daily capacity of waste processing facilities
- Establishing new biogas plants for organic waste treatment
- Procuring mechanical road sweepers and litter pickers
- Deploying anti-smog guns and water sprinklers for pollution mitigation
Chief Minister Gupta highlighted the government's focus on tackling legacy waste accumulation, noting that "The mountains of garbage in Delhi are not a problem of one day; they have been the result of years of insufficient waste disposal. But today, our government has resolved to change this situation."
Waste Processing Expansion and Legacy Waste Reduction
Substantial efforts are underway to dramatically increase waste processing capacity from 7,000 metric tonnes to 15,000 metric tonnes per day. To achieve this ambitious target, the government plans to expand waste-to-energy plants at four key locations:
- Narela
- Okhla
- Ghazipur
- Tehkhand
Significant progress has already been recorded in biomining of legacy waste, with reduction levels reaching 16% at Ghazipur, 54% at Bhalaswa, and 68% at Okhla. These achievements demonstrate tangible progress in addressing long-standing waste management challenges.
Cattle Waste Management and Animal Welfare Initiatives
The government has developed specific plans to address cattle waste management, aiming to process 1,500 tonnes of cow dung generated daily through dedicated biogas plants. Currently, a significant portion of such waste is improperly disposed of in drains, creating both sanitation and environmental concerns that these new facilities will help mitigate.
Addressing the issue of stray animals, Chief Minister Gupta announced plans to establish shelters or dog homes where animals can be properly housed, fed, and treated. Additionally, Rs 14 crore has been allocated for setting up 10 new gaushalas (cow shelters). "We are working for the welfare of all living beings, which is why projects have been planned for them too," Gupta emphasized, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the government's urban development approach.
