The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) on Wednesday unveiled a financially robust and progressive budget for the fiscal year 2026-27, projecting a healthy net surplus of Rs 143 crore. The civic body, which governs the prestigious Lutyens' Delhi zone, presented a budget with total receipts estimated at Rs 5,953 crore against an expenditure of Rs 5,810 crore.
A Budget for Public Safety and Modern Governance
Council Chairman Keshav Chandra, while presenting the budget, assured residents and businesses that there would be no increase in property tax rates. In a significant move for commercial property owners, the NDMC plans to implement the unit area method for tax assessment across Lutyens' Delhi, replacing the current system based on market rent.
A major thrust of the budget is enhancing public security through technology. The council has proposed installing 2,000 new CCTV cameras across its area, with live feeds integrated and shared with the Delhi Police. NDMC Vice-Chairman Kuljeet Chahal stated that this integration is part of the broader Safe City Project. "So far, 82 cameras have been connected to the Integrated Control and Command Centre," he said, adding that nearly 700 locations have been identified for the installation drive.
Green Initiatives and a 'Dust-Free' Vision
In an ambitious environmental push, the NDMC launched the 'Dust-Free NDMC' campaign, aiming to become the first civic body in India to completely transition from manual road sweeping to vacuum-based mechanised cleaning. The sanitation workforce will be simultaneously trained for new roles. The green blueprint also includes regular washing of trees using mist spray systems, deploying anti-smog guns at pollution hotspots, and developing Miyawaki forests at Lodhi Road and Sarojini Nagar.
For water conservation, a multi-purpose smart irrigation system has been developed. "Dedicated lines and hydrants are being laid to meet requirements like dense irrigation, footpath washing and green belt maintenance," explained Chahal. This system, currently active on 11 roads, will be expanded to 13 more stretches and three gardens. Drip irrigation for roadside plantations is also on the cards.
Tech-Driven Citizen Services and Infrastructure Revamp
The council is set to harness artificial intelligence to improve public grievance redressal by integrating AI with the NDMC 311 mobile application. On the education front, NDMC schools will prioritize AI-based learning, with dedicated AI laboratories being set up for students from classes VII to XII.
To boost infrastructure and generate revenue, the NDMC approved plans to redevelop iconic properties like Super Bazar and Akbar Bhavan, along with land near Khan Market for parking facilities. The redevelopment of vacated NDMC residential quarters is also planned. Furthermore, the budget focuses on revamping ageing sewer lines and stormwater drains. The body is also taking daily water samples to check for any mixing in the potable water supply.
To expedite ongoing work, Chairman Chandra noted that a special committee has been formed, and 75 projects were approved in the previous fiscal year (2025-26).
