Drainge revamp, ‘Rani Haats’ for women and schemes for elderly: Key takeaways of Delhi Budget 2026

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday presented a Rs 1.03 lakh crore ‘Green Budget’ for the financial year 2026-27, announcing a major overhaul in road and drainage infrastructure and schemes aimed at the welfare of women and elderly.

The chief minister said that she is presenting a “Green Budget” as 21 per cent of the total outlays have been earmarked for projects that will lead to environmental safeguards.

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Drainage and road infrastructure revamp

The Chief Minister allocated Rs 160 crore for the improvement of the drainage system in the national capital.

She also announced construction of roads non-conforming areas and allocated Rs 1,000 crore for road construction and development.

CM Gupta allocated Rs 371 crore for the extension of Modi Mill Flyover up to Kalkaji and Rs 454 crore for the construction of two-lane roads on both sides of the Najafgarh drain.

The construction of an underpass at Gagan Cinema, an integrated flyover from Yamuna Vihar to Bhajanpura, the underpass from Saket to Kalkaji, and the flyover extending from Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg to MG Road at a combined cost of Rs 2,100 crore were among the other notable announcements.

The chief minister said that these initiatives will help us “alleviate traffic congestion in these areas.”

Rani Haats, Anganwadi revamp and ‘pink cards’ for women

Delhi CM further announced a slew of initiatives to strengthen existing infrastructure for women and revamp Aanganwadi into model childcare centres.

“A budget of Rs 74.06 crore has been allocated to the Department of Women and Child Development. A provision of Rs 51.10 crore has been made for the ‘Mahila Samriddhi Yojana’,” she said.

Rs 33 crore have been allocated for the Anganwadis and ‘Pink Cards’ have been issued to facilitate free bus travel for women. The free DTC bus ride scheme has been extended for the transgender community as well.

Additionally, Rs 10 crore have been allocated for the establishment of ‘Mahila Haats’ (Women’s Markets).

“These markets will be named ‘Rani Haats’ to empower women and enable them to become self-reliant,” CM Gupta said.

Housing infra push and schemes for the elderly

The Rekha Gupta-led government has also given greater emphasis on improving housing infrastructure in the city, with special improvement for amenities for senior citizens.

A fund of Rs 125 crore has been allocated for the ‘Vayu Anand Yojana’, a programme dedicated to elderly citizens.

A fund of Rs 134 crore has been set aside for the development of slum clusters and for the establishment of ‘Atal Canteens’.

Delhi CM reiterated her government’s commitment to provide ‘housing for all’ and informed that the work was already underway on the renovation of approximately 2,400 flats.