CM Rekha Gupta Pitches ‘War-Level’ Year-Round Fight Against Delhi Pollution With EV Buses and Cleanup Drive

Delhi's government intends a year-round reduction in pollution through an expanded EV bus fleet, enhanced waste management, automated vehicle fitness checks, and regional cooperation to tackle emissions from transport, industry, and waste, with a clear 2026 deadline for landfill clearance.

Delhi’s government is rolling out a wide anti-pollution plan that centres on cleaner transport, better waste handling and strict checks on vehicles. Officials link these steps with winter smog, but the aim covers the full year. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta says the administration is working on a “War-level” plan that should cut emissions and improve daily air quality.

Rekha Gupta argues that Delhi’s pollution cannot be seen as a problem of only cold months. The administration treats it as a permanent health and economic risk. Delhi is also coordinating with the central government and neighbouring states on linked issues such as crop residue burning and inter-state bus emissions around the National Capital Region.

Delhi Pollution Control and EV buses in Delhi

According to Rekha Gupta, more than 3,600 electric buses are now active on Delhi’s roads, a first for the city. The government expects this fleet to rise to 7,700 electric buses before the end of 2026. Alongside large buses, 3,330 new electric mini buses are planned for narrow lanes and inner colonies that are difficult for bigger vehicles.

The administration says these EV buses support a shift from private vehicles by offering cheaper and safer travel. The buses are planned with zero tailpipe emissions and modern features. Officials claim better comfort and higher reliability will help persuade commuters to leave personal cars and two-wheelers, cutting a big source of city pollution.

Vehicle Pollution in Delhi and Delhi Pollution Control

To handle emissions from existing vehicles, Rekha Gupta states that three new automated centres now test vehicle fitness in Delhi. These centres are meant to remove unfit, high-polluting vehicles from traffic. Delhi has also reached about 9,000 EV charging stations. Power supply capacity for these chargers is being upgraded, and an e-waste park will recycle used EV batteries.

Rekha Gupta adds that Delhi is not acting alone against pollution. With central support, neighbouring states are working on joint measures. Inter-state buses that earlier used diesel are being shifted to electric vehicles. A coordinated plan is also under way to manage stubble burning, which sends smoke into Delhi and raises pollution levels during certain months.

Dust Pollution Control and Delhi Pollution Control

The government’s strategy also targets dust and poor maintenance on streets and drains. Roads are being repaired, and mechanical sweeping machines are deployed to reduce loose dust. Drain cleaning has accelerated. Officials report that 22 lakh metric tonnes of silt were removed in ten months. At Minto Bridge alone, 15,000 metric tonnes of silt were cleared from one drain, easing waterlogging.

Delhi Landfill Sites and Delhi Pollution Control

Waste sites form another part of the plan. The government has fixed a target to clear the Bhalswa and Okhla landfill sites by the end of 2026. Work is also going on at Ghazipur, where waste processing continues. Material recovered from these garbage mounds is being used for tasks such as raising road levels and other construction-related works.

Rekha Gupta claims that residents will see these landfill hills disappear within the current term. The chief minister says that people will watch these Garbade Mountains turn into history. Officials argue that better waste management should limit fires, smoke and methane releases from dumps, which often add to Delhi’s already stressed air.

Rekha Gupta has also contrasted the present approach with earlier responses to pollution. Without naming anyone, the chief minister criticised previous governments for focusing on short fixes like smog towers, odd-even traffic schemes and switching engines off at red lights. These steps gave some relief but, according to Rekha Gupta, did not create a durable framework.

The chief minister points to the last 15–20 years, saying that Delhi’s population and number of vehicles grew, but no serious long-term planning was done. The current package ties together EV buses, stronger roads, landfill work and regional cooperation. The government insists these are active projects on the ground whose results, especially cleaner air, should be visible to Delhi residents over the coming years.