New Delhi: Presenting the NDMC Budget 2026-27, Kuljeet Chahal, Vice-Chairman of the New Delhi Municipal Council, said the budget reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “development with heritage” and the national goal of Viksit Bharat 2047.
“This is a future-ready budget. We are upgrading education with AI-for-All programmes from Classes 7 to 12, setting up AI labs, and ensuring students are trained responsibly with a strong focus on ethics,” Chahal said while addressing the NDMC Council meeting.
A major highlight of the budget is NDMC’s push towards a zero-dust, broom-free and fully mechanised sanitation system. Chahal announced that the number of mechanised sweeping machines will be increased from four to 15–20, along with expanded jet-washing and misting systems.
“Our target is to cover the entire NDMC area under night sweeping by the end of FY 2026, a move already being appreciated by traders and residents in Connaught Place, Khan Market, Sarojini Nagar and Janpath,” he said.
On green initiatives, Chahal said NDMC will roll out Miyawaki forests, expand green cover across footpaths and eliminate so-called “black spots” by converting them into landscaped zones. The civic body will continue its ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign every Sunday across parks, colonies, RWAs, hospitals and institutions.
Women’s safety and overall security also received a major boost, with the budget proposing 2,000 new high-tech CCTV cameras and tighter coordination with Delhi Police through the Integrated Triple-C (I-CCC) command system.
Despite absorbing the financial burden of regularising nearly 4,500 employees, granting promotions and bonuses, NDMC has still managed to increase capital expenditure. Chahal said the Budget Estimate surplus is around ₹150 crore, with plans to raise it to nearly ₹300 crore at the Revised Estimate stage through better revenue generation and leasing of long-idle properties.
Key sectoral allocations include:
- Education: Expansion of high-tech model schools at Pandara Park and Sarojini Nagar, with plans to upgrade all 45 NDMC schools
- Health: Separate budgets for Charak Palika, Ayurveda and Unani systems, staff training and new diagnostic equipment
- Roads & Infrastructure: Reflective and solar-enabled road markings, high-tech paints and smart road solutions
- Water & Drainage: AI-based water-logging mapping, rainwater harvesting, sewer revamp and continued focus on clean drinking water
Importantly, Chahal stressed that no new taxes or fee hikes have been proposed.
“There is no increase in parking charges, property tax or lease fees. This is one of NDMC’s biggest achievements,” he said.
The meeting was chaired by Delhi PWD Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma and attended by MP Bansuri Swaraj and senior NDMC officials. Chahal concluded by stating that the budget aims to make NDMC the cleanest, greenest and most high-tech urban area in the country, aligning local governance with national aspirations.
