Chief Minister stresses public participation for sustainable pollution control; inaugurates multiple development projects in Shalimar Bagh
New Delhi, December 12, 2025: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday said her government is working on multiple fronts simultaneously to control pollution in the national capital in an effective and sustainable manner. She stated that eliminating dust pollution is among the government’s top priorities and, to achieve this objective, wall-to-wall road construction is being carried out across Delhi at an accelerated pace.
The Chief Minister said that to ensure road construction work proceeds without any hurdles, substantial funds amounting to several crores of rupees have been released to Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). She underlined that pollution control cannot be achieved through government efforts alone and called for active participation from citizens. People must recognise their responsibility in reducing dust and smoke and act accordingly, she said.
Rekha Gupta made these remarks during her visit to the Shalimar Bagh Assembly constituency, where she inaugurated and inspected a series of development projects related to road construction, drain repairs, sewer line installation, high-mast lighting, park redevelopment and other civic amenities.
Addressing officials and local residents, the Chief Minister said that airborne dust plays a major role in increasing pollution levels in Delhi. Broken roads, open edges and poorly maintained stretches significantly contribute to dust generation. She said wall-to-wall roads, where the entire width of the road is paved without exposed shoulders, offer an effective and long-term solution to control dust along road edges.
She directed MLAs to ensure that all new road construction and repair works in their constituencies strictly follow the wall-to-wall road model. The Chief Minister also made it clear that if additional funds are required to complete these works, the government will release them immediately. “There will be no shortage of funds for projects that directly contribute to pollution control and public welfare,” she said.
Criticising previous governments, Rekha Gupta alleged that earlier administrations failed to formulate any serious or comprehensive plan to address pollution. She said road development and dust control were neglected for years, with little attention paid to proper road width or quality construction. According to the Chief Minister, previous efforts remained limited to statements and advertisements, the consequences of which are being faced by Delhi today.
She said the current government has taken a clear resolve to find permanent solutions to pollution. Adequate budgetary provisions have been made, and concrete steps are being implemented based on expert advice. “Our focus is on long-term and sustainable solutions, not short-term or symbolic measures,” she said.
The Chief Minister also highlighted that several small but targeted interventions are proving effective in reducing pollution. She said night patrol guards are being provided with electric heaters to prevent the burning of wood or waste during winter months. In addition, the government has initiated the process of providing electric or gas-powered irons to press workers, reducing dependence on coal-fired irons that contribute to local air pollution.
During her visit to Shalimar Bagh, Rekha Gupta inaugurated RMC construction works for drains and lanes in the BH East area. She later launched multiple projects, including the installation of a new water pipeline in CC Block, construction of RMC roads and drains, redevelopment of parks and installation of new CCTV cameras. The Chief Minister also inspected the Senior Citizen Building and directed officials to ensure that all pending works are completed within the stipulated timelines.
The Chief Minister further visited Sahipur village, where she inaugurated the construction of a boundary wall around the johad, installation of a new sewer line and other development works. She said the comprehensive development of rural areas within the capital is an important priority for the Delhi Government and assured residents that infrastructure gaps in villages will be addressed on a priority basis.
Subsequently, Rekha Gupta launched several development projects in BK-1 and BK-2 blocks. These included the construction of new lanes and drains, installation of a new sewer line, erection of high-mast lights, redevelopment of parks, inspection of the swimming pool area, and construction of roads and drains in the police colony. She also inaugurated new facilities in the park, including a gym, play station and solar lights.
The Chief Minister said development works are progressing rapidly across all parts of Delhi through MLAs, ensuring that local needs are addressed efficiently. She reiterated that building a “Viksit Delhi” is the government’s clear objective and said continuous efforts are being made to improve infrastructure, reduce pollution and enhance the quality of life for residents across the capital.
Concluding her remarks, Rekha Gupta urged citizens to support the government’s initiatives by avoiding practices that contribute to dust and smoke. She stressed that public awareness and participation are essential for achieving long-term pollution control and ensuring a cleaner and healthier Delhi.
