Delhi CM Rekha Gupta on Air Pollution, Yamuna Cleanup, and Social Media Attacks

New Delhi: In an exclusive interview with TOI, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta spoke about her government’s efforts to tackle air pollution, clean the Yamuna, and respond to political attacks on social media. She also addressed concerns regarding the continuation of free schemes promised before the elections.

Handling Social Media Criticism:
CM Gupta acknowledged that social media can be both constructive and politically motivated. While she welcomes constructive criticism, she condemned misinformation and selective editing by influencers seeking views rather than facts. “Accountability is towards Delhi’s people, not political narratives. My focus remains on ground-level work and transparent communication,” she said.

Yamuna Cleanup Efforts:
CM Gupta highlighted a scientific action plan for cleaning the Yamuna:

• Delhi has 35 sewage treatment plants (STPs); 22 have been upgraded and 37 new decentralized STPs are under construction.
• Drone surveys are being conducted to intercept untreated sewage before it reaches the river.
• Desilting efforts have removed 25 lakh metric tons of silt from drains.
• Biogas projects are underway to manage cattle waste (~1,500 tons daily), while older landfill sites are being revitalized through bio-mining and waste-to-energy projects.
• Coordination with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh ensures cross-border pollution is addressed.

Air Pollution Control Measures:

• Structured plans include short-term (mist spraying, sprinklers), mid-term, and long-term (wall-to-wall road carpeting of 1,400 km) interventions.
• Plantation drive: 35 lakh trees of indigenous species, and 4,200 hectares in the Ridge area declared as forest.
• EV and public transport: Delhi now has 4,200 EV buses, with support for e-autos, e-bikes, and last-mile connectivity.
• Waste management: Dedicated e-waste plants and structured solid waste solutions are being implemented.

Infrastructure and Safety:
CM Gupta emphasized upgrading roads, flyovers, and traffic management systems. She stressed improving public transport capacity and last-mile connectivity to reduce traffic congestion.

Free Schemes and Migrant Residents:
On the continuation of free schemes, CM Gupta stated that taxpayer money should primarily benefit Delhi residents. While Delhi is home to migrants, subsidies and free services are focused on verified residents. She stressed the importance of proper identification through ration cards, Aadhaar, and other documents.

Accountability and Governance:

• CM Gupta emphasized digital governance, monitoring projects through dashboards, and ensuring transparency in public services.
• On stray animals, she confirmed renewed efforts in neutering, vaccination, sheltering, and medical care under MCD oversight.

Conclusion:
CM Gupta reaffirmed her government’s commitment to long-term environmental, infrastructural, and social reforms, highlighting that while results will take time, systematic and coordinated action is already underway, promising visible improvements in Delhi’s air, water, and civic infrastructure.