CM Rekha Gupta Outlines Delhi Development Goals at Chhatrasal Stadium
Addressing the Delhi government's Independence Day function at Chhatrasal Stadium on Saturday, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta cautioned the youth against what she termed "Urban Naxalism" and presented a roadmap to develop the national capital into a model for Viksit Bharat.
Gupta called the youth India's "Amrit generation" and urged them to channel their ideas, creativity, and talent towards nation-building rather than limiting their strength to social media. She said the country was fighting challenges on "two and a half fronts", describing the "half front" as an internal challenge posed by forces attempting to denigrate national institutions and the armed forces.
Her remarks followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day address from the Red Fort, where he called for isolating ideological threats described as "dimaagi Naxals". Gupta said Delhi holds a special responsibility to serve as a growth engine by improving its infrastructure, transport, healthcare, education, and environmental systems.
Detailing the city's transport initiatives, Gupta stated that Delhi has deployed more than 4,500 electric buses, with a long-term target of expanding the fleet to 12,000. Around 9,000 EV charging points have been installed toward a target of 32,000, while three newly approved metro corridors will add roughly 47 km to the network.
On social welfare, Gupta highlighted that more than 18 lakh Pink Cards have been issued to women and transgender persons for free bus travel. Under the proposed Durga Yojana, the government plans to issue electric auto permits to 1,100 women and transgender persons. More than 7.25 lakh registrations have also been completed under the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana.
Covering health and environment, Gupta reported that Ayushman Bharat has been implemented in Delhi to cover 8.9 lakh beneficiaries, including over 3.07 lakh senior citizens under the Vay Vandana scheme, alongside 417 operational Ayushman Jan Arogya Mandirs. On green initiatives, over 63 lakh trees and saplings have been planted toward a 70 lakh target, and 75 acres of land have been reclaimed from garbage dumps.
In education, Gupta noted that 75 CM Shri Schools have been equipped, 4,000 smart classrooms prepared, and more than 6,000 teachers appointed. She added that ₹2,638 crore has been sanctioned by the Centre under SASCI for 61 development projects across the city.
