Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta Launches Extensive Anniversary Celebrations
New Delhi: Coinciding with the first anniversary of the Bharatiya Janata Party's victory in the February 2025 assembly elections, which allowed the party to form a government in the national capital after a gap of 27 years, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta is set to hold a series of public events spanning more than two weeks starting from February 8. The celebrations mark a significant milestone for the BJP, which secured 48 seats in the 70-member assembly, leading to Gupta taking oath as chief minister on February 20 last year.
Flagship Initiatives and Green Mobility Focus
The festivities are expected to commence with a grand event at Ramlila Maidan, where the chief minister will flag off approximately 500 electric buses. This move is being showcased as a cornerstone of the Delhi government's emphasis on clean mobility and strengthening public transport infrastructure. In a parallel development, officials have indicated that the government is likely to launch Pink Saheli Smart Cards, which will replace paper tickets for women's free travel on public buses, and introduce national common mobility cards to facilitate seamless payment across various public transport platforms.
An official highlighted, "The CM may also felicitate some beneficiaries of the free Holi LPG cylinder scheme, who are expected to receive direct benefit transfers starting this month." This initiative is part of a broader effort to support poor households during festive seasons like Holi and Diwali.
Comprehensive Report Card and Key Achievements
During the two-week program, the government plans to issue a detailed report card to showcase its accomplishments over the past year. This document, likely to be released on February 20, will highlight major initiatives across multiple sectors including transport, urban infrastructure, health, education, power and water supply, and municipal services. Among the key achievements expected to feature prominently are the operationalization of over 383 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, aimed at reducing the burden on major hospitals.
The implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana has resulted in the issuance of more than 6.7 lakh Ayushman health cards, including 2.6 lakh Vay Vandana cards specifically for senior citizens aged 70 and above. The rollout of DEVI electric buses will be emphasized as a pivotal green initiative, aligning with the government's environmental goals.
Infrastructure and Social Welfare Highlights
Other notable initiatives that will be highlighted in the report card include the opening of Atal Canteens offering meals at just Rs 5 per plate, a substantial Rs 1,000-crore allocation to the Delhi Village Development Board, and the continuation of free water and electricity schemes for eligible residents. Additionally, the government has unveiled the Delhi Drainage Master Plan 2025, with an outlay of Rs 57,362 crore, designed to revamp the city's 50-year-old drainage system. A 2026 deadline has been set to completely eliminate landfill sites, underscoring a commitment to urban cleanliness.
Infrastructure improvements are also a key focus, with the government having renovated 150 kilometers of roads across the city. Plans are underway to launch 75 CM SHRI Schools, equipped with modern laboratories, smart classrooms, and libraries, modeled on the national PM SHRI initiative to enhance educational standards.
Grassroots Outreach and Political Significance
Officials have revealed that the government plans to hold back-to-back inauguration and launch ceremonies at the assembly constituency level. "The idea is to open completed projects for public use while simultaneously launching major works across the city," an official explained. This grassroots outreach is intended to engage citizens directly and demonstrate tangible progress.
The report card is expected to be released at a public event, similar to the program organized when the BJP government completed 100 days in office. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and several other Union ministers are likely to attend a few of these events, adding a layer of political significance to the celebrations. This anniversary not only commemorates the BJP's electoral success but also serves as a platform to reinforce its governance narrative ahead of future political endeavors.
