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Delhi Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot presented a budget worth ₹78,800 crore, up by 8.69% compared to last year, with a focus on a cleaner, greener, and modern Delhi. Here are the highlights of the 2023-24 Delhi Budget.
Infrastructure & Transport in Focus
The Delhi government allocated a total of ₹21,817 crore for Capital expenditure works ahead of the G20 Summit scheduled to take place in Delhi later this year. The government plans to construct 26 flyovers and three double-decker flyovers to ease traffic congestion in the city. The city will also see the beautification of 1400 km of roads.
The government intends to build three world-class inter-state bus terminals, two multi-level bus stations, two modern bus terminals, and nine fresh bus depots. The national capital will also see the construction of up to 1,400 new and contemporary bus queue shelters. The government has also planned to introduce 1900 new electric buses by the end of this year.
Education Gets Pride Place
Delhi government allocated a total of ₹16,575 crore for the education sector, a slight increase from last year. However, the majority of the funds were allocated to construct 350 Delhi government schools with 20 computers each, and for all teachers, principals, and vice principals to receive tablets. The government also announced 17 new Dr B R Ambedkar Schools of Specialized Excellence.
Healthcare Gets Budget Cuts
The Delhi government proposed a total of ₹9,742 crore for the health sector, a slight decline from ₹9,769 crore allocated in the previous year's budget. The government has planned to construct nine new hospitals, out of which four shall be operational this year. The government has also proposed renovating 15 other hospitals while opening 100 Mahila Mohalla Clinics.
Tackling Delhi Pollution
The Delhi government intends to develop a laboratory in each area for real-time pollution data monitoring and collection. The government has vowed to plant 52 lakh trees this fiscal year to reduce road dust pollution. The government has also announced a six-pointer Clean Yamuna Action Plan to upgrade and expand Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and Domestic Sewage Treatment Plants (DSTPs), provide 100% household sewer connectivity, shift industrial units, and trap Yamuna drain.
The government also announced plans to clear out the mountains of garbage located in Okhla, Bhalswa, and Ghazipur within two years. A total of ₹850 crore has been earmarked for MCD to clean the garbage.
Tackling Delhi's Water Crisis
The government aims to increase water availability by 25% by March 2025 while setting up 1000 RO plants in Jhuggi-Jhopri (JJ) clusters and water deficit areas. The government has also promised to complete the revival of twenty big lakes by the end of this year. They also estimated that around 100 MGD water would be recharged daily in 2023-24.
Other Announcements
The government proposed four additional schemes for labor skill development and allocated a sum of ₹2,962 crore for pensions for the social and economic welfare of women, senior citizens, and others. In the electricity sector, the government plans to install 6,000 MW of solar infrastructure by 2025, and 84% of Delhi residents will receive power subsidies. The minister also announced the installation of 900 charging ports at 100 stations for electric vehicles.