Delhi Budget 2026: Rekha Gupta unveils ₹1.03 lakh crore green plan with big infra, education push

New Delhi: The Delhi government on Tuesday presented its Budget for the financial year 2026–27, with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announcing a ₹1,03,700 crore outlay and positioning it as a “green budget” with a strong push towards sustainability, infrastructure, and social welfare.

A key highlight of the budget is the announcement of free bicycles for all girls studying in Class 9, aimed at boosting mobility and encouraging education among students. Additionally, students securing merit in Class 10 will be provided with laptops.

Presenting the budget in the Assembly, Gupta said the government has adopted a “green lens” across all policies and schemes.

“Every policy prioritises the environment, every plan respects nature and every decision keeps future generations in mind,” she said, adding that 21% of the total budget has been earmarked for green initiatives.

Focus on education, health and welfare

The government has allocated ₹19,000 crore for the education sector, signalling a continued push towards strengthening schools and student support systems. In healthcare, a real-time ventilator availability system will be introduced to ensure patients are not denied ICU beds due to a lack of information.

A new scheme titled ‘Anmol’ has been launched for the early detection of genetic diseases in newborns. With an allocation of ₹25 crore, the scheme will facilitate 56 diagnostic tests to identify illnesses at an early stage.

Infrastructure and civic upgrades

The budget lays significant emphasis on improving urban infrastructure and basic services. The government announced plans to phase out the water tanker system and curb wastage, with ₹475 crore allocated for the Chandrawal Water Treatment Plant. Sewage treatment capacity is set to expand from 700 MGD to 1500 MGD.

To strengthen emergency response, ₹674 crore has been allocated to the fire department, including funds for new fire stations and modern equipment. The government has also set aside ₹3,942 crore to ensure 24x7 electricity supply, along with ₹200 crore for underground cabling.

Sector-wise allocations and mobility push

Among key allocations, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will receive ₹11,666 crore, while ₹5,921 crore has been earmarked for the Public Works Department (PWD).

Urban development will get ₹7,887 crore, alongside targeted funds for village development, unauthorised colonies, and Yamuna rejuvenation.

The government has also prioritised road and traffic infrastructure, with ₹1,392 crore allocated for constructing 750 km of roads and an additional ₹1,000 crore provision. Over ₹500 crore has been set aside to tackle traffic congestion.

Revenue and fiscal outlook

The government expects to generate ₹74,000 crore through tax revenue and ₹900 crore from non-tax sources, with the remaining funds coming from central assistance, borrowings, and opening balances. Delhi plans to raise ₹16,700 crore through loans this year.

Of the total expenditure, 70.3% has been allocated to revenue spending and 29.7% to capital expenditure.

Overall, the Delhi Budget 2026–27 reflects a calibrated attempt to balance development with environmental sustainability, while introducing targeted welfare measures like bicycles for schoolgirls to drive social impact.