Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday presented the national capital’s development roadmap at the 11th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, outlining the city’s contribution to the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat@2047’.
Addressing the meeting, Gupta said Delhi has emerged as a major driver of India’s growth and highlighted initiatives across education, healthcare, infrastructure, transport, women’s welfare and governance. She thanked the Prime Minister and the Central government for supporting Delhi’s development efforts.
She congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on completing 12 years in office and said the Centre had consistently supported Delhi irrespective of political circumstances. She said nearly Rs 1 lakh crore worth of road infrastructure projects are under development in the city with Central assistance.
On environmental issues, Gupta highlighted efforts to clean the Yamuna, saying a special coordination mechanism with neighbouring states had been established under the Prime Minister’s guidance to restore river flow and tackle pollution.
Among key initiatives, she announced a scheme to provide free bicycles to girl students in government schools to reduce dropout rates in Class 9. She said administrative processes have been fully digitalised through e-file systems and Control and Command Centres have been established, while officials are being trained under Mission Karmayogi.
In transport, she said three automated testing stations are being developed for commercial vehicles and that Delhi Metro has expanded to nearly 500 km with Central support.
She also announced ‘Samarth’, a programme to transform Anganwadi centres through improved childcare, nutrition, education and socio-economic empowerment. The government will also launch Mahila Haat outlets (Rani Haat) to market products made by women from self-help groups and shelter homes.
Under the Delhi Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana, eligible girls will receive Rs 1 lakh on turning 18, subject to conditions. Women have also been permitted to work night shifts to boost workforce participation.
On education, Gupta said Delhi’s school system is being aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. In 2025-26, 75 CM Shri Schools were established and over 8,777 smart classrooms created, alongside digital libraries, computer and language labs. She also announced integration of artificial intelligence into assessment systems and personalised learning programmes. Under the NEEV programme, more than 4,800 students received financial support for innovation projects.
She said nine Centres of Excellence have been set up in Delhi’s ITIs in sectors such as industrial automation, robotic welding, semiconductors and smart energy. She also highlighted collaborations by DTU, NSUT and IIIT-Delhi, and participation of over 700 startups in the Delhi Startup Yuva Festival 2026.
In healthcare, Gupta said Delhi’s first Brain Health Clinic has been set up in Dwarka. The government plans free MRI and CT scan services in government hospitals through a PPP model, while 150 dialysis centres are already operational. She added that 370 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are functional and 750 more are planned this year.
She further highlighted Delhi’s first Drainage Master Plan in 50 years, the Saheli Pink Card for women and transgender commuters, and plans to deploy 5,800 electric buses by March 2027. Thirty-five decentralised sewage treatment plants are also being developed for Yamuna rejuvenation.
On sports, she noted expansion of Khelo India Centres from five to 11 and the Delhi Khel Mahakumbh 2025-26, which saw participation from over 25,000 athletes.
Seeking greater support from the Centre, Gupta requested release of pending Public Account balances, creation of a separate PWD engineering cadre for Delhi and enhanced central financial assistance. She also urged inclusion of Delhi under the Centre’s Bhavya Yojana for technology-driven and pollution-free industries.
