CM Rekha Gupta on 100 days of Delhi government: From aspiration to opportunity

Indian Express

2 days ago

Delhi is not just a city, it is a cradle of civilisation. It has remained steadfast despite empires rising and falling like the Yamuna's tides. Delhi is not just made of bricks, it is also made of audacious ideas and eternal ideals, as seen by the passionate debates in Parliament and the soulful chants at the Jhandewalan temple.
One hundred days ago, we took the reins of this magnificent metropolis with a promise to lead not just with governance, but with grace; not just with policy, but with purpose. Our mission was, and remains, unwavering: Nation first. People first. No one left behind. The essence of Delhi reflects the idea of the Republic.
At NITI Aayog's 10th governing council meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reminded us that the journey to Viksit Bharat by 2047 must begin in every state, every street, every soul. Delhi has risen to that call. With a record Rs 1 lakh crore budget, we are not just allocating funds but shaping futures. We are moving decisively from announcements to accountability, from the inertia of entitlement to the empowerment of action.
In the past 100 days, we have tried to evolve a governance model that breathes with the people. I meet over 1,000 citizens daily in Jan Sunwai, and our ministers, MLAs, and district magistrates remain actively engaged with the public in grievance redressal sessions across the city. Whether it's deploying GPS-tagged water tankers or introducing transparent auditing mechanisms for public budgets, our administration is making governance both visible and verifiable.
In education, we are nurturing not just students but thinkers, creators, and future leaders. Our CM-SHRI schools are redefining public education, while themed programmes like Madan Mohan Malaviya Vidya Shakti giving free coaching for NEET, CUET, JEE, CLAT and NEEV are fostering scientific curiosity and national values. The introduction of language labs and the auditing of private schools to regulate fees are further signs of our commitment to educational equity and excellence.
Healthcare is also undergoing a renaissance, exhibiting the elements of continuity and change. Mohalla Clinics are being transformed/upgraded into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. These new hubs are fortified with upgraded diagnostics, infrastructure, and staffing support while ensuring job security for health workers. Under PM-ABHIM, we've established 11 critical care blocks and over 1,100 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. The first brain health clinic is now operational in Dwarka, with 10 more planned, expanding access to mental healthcare for all. For our senior citizens, a mobile registration drive for the Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana is underway to ensure security, support, and self-respect.
The government in Delhi is working on the trinity of Js — jobs, justice, and jan kalyan. Delhi is not just India's capital, it is the crucible of its ambitions. People from every corner of the country come here in search of education, employment and a better life. We are transforming this influx of aspiration into opportunity through a network of Rozgar Melas at the industrial, district, and state levels. These melas cater to all skill levels. Anchored in Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya's principle of antyodaya, our government is working to ensure economic dignity for every citizen.
The arteries of this city, its roads, bridges, power grids, and water systems, are being strengthened with urgency and integrity. In these 100 days, we have launched a Rs 3,140 crore initiative to bring sewer lines to all unauthorised colonies. A Rs 1,500 crore Yamuna Rejuvenation Project is breathing life into the sacred river with the construction of 40 sewage treatment plants. The inauguration of Asia's largest single-stage sewage treatment facility in Okhla stands as a testament to this commitment. We are combating water scarcity with a 50-year master plan that integrates real-time monitoring stations along the Yamuna and innovative technologies such as sewer-cleaning recycler machines.
Delhi's battle with pollution is not just a policy issue but a moral imperative. The Delhi Heat Action Plan 2025 is our first integrated climate resilience blueprint. It includes shaded bus stops, 'cool roofs,' 3,000 digital water ATMs, and special heatwave wards in hospitals. Our electric vehicle initiative is accelerating: 400 DEVI buses are already operational, with 2,080 more on the way. We are installing 48,000 EV charging stations citywide, expanding PNG connections to all 111 villages by 2025, and introducing PM Surya Ghar solar incentives. Palam has seen the launch of vertical power stations, and four new waste-to-energy plants are on the horizon. Beyond infrastructure, we are driving behaviour change through 20-day cleanliness drives, cattle-free street campaigns, and active citizen involvement in waste segregation.
In these 100 days, we have redefined not just policy priorities but civic experience. Women's safety has been bolstered by lighting up 4,000 dark spots. Night markets are being expanded to support local vendors. Anganwadis are now co-located within school premises under Poshan 2.0 to deliver integrated nutrition and cognitive care to young children.
We are working to celebrate 75 years of the Indian Constitution as well as to promote the idea of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' with year-long celebrations of sesquicentennial anniversaries of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
These 100 days are a prologue. A new Delhi is emerging, which is clean, green, just, empowered, and inclusive. A Delhi that does not just carry the burden of history but channels it into hope. A Delhi where every citizen is not only seen but heard and valued. Inspired by PM Modi's vision and propelled by the people's faith, we are building not with pomp or platitudes, but with purpose. Because in Delhi's transformation lies India's destiny. And in every citizen's upliftment lies the soul of Viksit Bharat.
The writer is Chief Minister, National Capital Territory of Delhi