The Delhi government has increased the transport department’s budget by nearly 60% in 2025-26 to ₹9,110 crore, with a major push for Delhi Metro expansion to curb air pollution, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Sunday.

She said adequate provisions have been made for Metro expansion so that ongoing projects proceed without hindrance and added that the government is also clearing pending liabilities related to Metro projects left unpaid by previous governments.

The chief minister said effective control of pollution in Delhi-NCR requires a strong public transport system with seamless last-mile connectivity.

Citing data from the Centre for Science and Environment and other institutions, Gupta said vehicular emissions are a major contributor to pollution in Delhi-NCR and strengthening public transport is essential to reduce dependence on private vehicles.

She said the government has made substantial budgetary provisions for public transport in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Net Zero Emission’.

The chief minister said the allocation for the transport department has gone up from ₹5,702 crore in 2024-25 to ₹9,110 crore in 2025-26, while the allocation for Metro projects has increased to ₹2,929 crore from around ₹500 crore last year.