Delhi’s Green Makeover: 70 Lakh Saplings And 300 Electric Buses Unveiled To Tackle Pollution

Delhi has launched a major green and clean mobility push, with a plan to plant 70 lakh saplings across the capital and add 300 new electric buses to its public transport fleet. The initiative was flagged off on Tuesday at RK Puram by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.

The event combined two urgent priorities for the city: expanding green cover and reducing transport-linked pollution. Delhi remains one of India’s most pollution-stressed urban centres, with vehicular emissions, dust, construction activity and seasonal factors contributing to poor air quality. The new plantation drive and electric bus rollout are being projected as part of a wider effort to make the capital cleaner and more climate-resilient.

Delhi green drive to plant 70 lakh saplings

The plantation campaign began in the Central Ridge area at RK Puram, located within the President’s Bodyguard complex. Shah and Gupta planted saplings under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative, which seeks to connect environmental action with respect for mothers. The drive will be carried out with support from the New Delhi Municipal Council.

A key feature of the plan is digital monitoring. Each sapling is expected to be tagged online, allowing authorities to track plantation locations and survival status. This is important because large plantation drives often face questions over follow-up care, watering, protection from grazing and long-term survival. Officials are aiming to improve accountability through data-linked tracking.

The Central Ridge has ecological significance for Delhi. It forms part of the larger Ridge system, often described as the city’s green lung. The area helps moderate heat, supports biodiversity and acts as a barrier against dust. Strengthening such green zones is considered essential as Delhi faces rising temperatures, intense urbanisation and recurring air pollution episodes.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the campaign should not be seen only as a plantation programme. She described it as an effort to show respect towards nature, noting that Indian culture has traditionally viewed rivers and nature with reverence. She also thanked the Union Home Minister and said cooperation between the Centre and the Delhi government could help achieve large public goals.

What is 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’?

The “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 5, 2024, to mark World Environment Day. He began the initiative by planting a peepal sapling at Buddha Jayanti Park in Delhi. The campaign asks citizens to plant a tree in honour of their mother and contribute to environmental protection.

The idea behind the campaign is to make tree planting more personal and community-driven. By linking a sapling with family memory and emotion, the government hopes people will care for planted trees beyond the first day of the drive. For Delhi, that follow-up will be critical because plantation numbers alone do not guarantee ecological gain.

Environmental outcomes will depend on the choice of species, soil conditions, water availability and long-term maintenance. Native and climate-suitable species generally offer better survival prospects and greater ecological value. Proper aftercare, especially during Delhi’s harsh summers, will decide whether the 70 lakh saplings become lasting green cover or remain a short-term exercise.

300 electric buses added to Delhi fleet

Alongside the plantation campaign, Shah and Gupta flagged off 300 new electric buses for Delhi. With this addition, the number of electric buses in the capital has reached about 4,800. Delhi’s total bus fleet is around 7,000, making it one of the largest electric bus networks among Indian cities.

The expansion of electric buses is significant for commuters and air quality. Buses carry large numbers of passengers and can reduce dependence on private vehicles if services are frequent, reliable and well connected. Electric buses also help lower tailpipe emissions, although their wider environmental benefit depends on power sources, charging efficiency and fleet management.

The government also laid the foundation stone for a multi-level bus depot at RK Puram. Such depots are vital for scaling up electric mobility because battery-powered buses need charging infrastructure, parking space, maintenance systems and route planning support. Delhi’s dense urban layout makes depot capacity one of the biggest challenges for expanding the public bus network.

Shah said the new buses and modern depot would strengthen public transport and give fresh momentum to clean mobility in the capital. The addition comes at a time when Delhi is trying to balance growing travel demand with pollution control measures. A larger electric fleet could improve last-mile and high-frequency services if supported by strong operations.

Wider infrastructure plan for the capital

The event also included announcements linked to security, mobility and technology-led governance. Among the projects mentioned were a high-security jail in Narela and an advanced automated vehicle testing centre. The government said these projects are part of a broader plan to make Delhi safer, more efficient and more environmentally responsible.

An automated vehicle testing centre can play a role in improving road safety and emissions compliance. Such centres use technology-based inspection systems to assess vehicle fitness more consistently. In a city where old and poorly maintained vehicles can add to pollution, stronger testing infrastructure can support enforcement and cleaner transport standards.

The green drive, electric bus expansion and infrastructure announcements together signal a broader urban agenda for Delhi. The immediate challenge will be implementation. For residents, the real impact will be visible only if saplings survive, buses run reliably, depots are completed on schedule and pollution-linked systems are monitored beyond launch-day targets.