Delhi budget 2025-26: Govt proposes to make control center for pollution monitoring

New Delhi: Delhi’s air quality has not been improving; it was recorded in the ‘poor’ category on Thursday for the third consecutive day. As per the report of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) was at 246 at 7 am on March 27. Seeing the worsening situation of air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) implemented Stage I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the national capital.

Meanwhile, the Delhi government in its 2025-26 budget has proposed to make a control center, which will keep eyes on the air quality of the city, water, noise pollution levels, and waste management in real time.

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Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, while presenting her maiden budget in the Delhi Assembly, allocated Rs 506 crore for the Environment and Forest Departments. In which Rs 300 crore is to be spent for “Pollution Control and Emergency Measures” so that eco-friendly reforms can take place. Besides this, Rs 20 crore is to be used for the improvement of Delhi’s parks and gardens. This initiative will assist Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), NGOs, and other organizations for the maintenance of green zones in the city.

“Our efforts will not only reduce pollution but also ensure a clean, healthy environment for future generations,” said Gupta.

To curb air pollution and boost green areas in Delhi, the government has been planning to plant above 70 lakh trees in the city. Gupta also said that 32 water quality monitoring stations are to be installed along the Yamuna River and major drains to monitor water pollution. She also announced that six new Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring (CAAQM) stations will be established at key points so that live pollution data can be displayed.