Delhi To Develop 10 ‘Namo Van’ To Fight Pollution, Boost Green Cover

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced on Monday that the city government will establish 10 'Namo Van'—dense wooded areas—across the capital to enhance green cover and tackle air pollution. Speaking at the 'Aadhar Infra Confluence 2025' hosted by Panchjanya, Gupta outlined her administration’s vision to transform Delhi into a hub for education, tourism, IT, and healthcare while prioritising environmental sustainability and job creation. “This year, we started planting 70 lakh saplings. We will also develop 10 dense wooded areas as 'Namo Van',” she said, emphasising urban infrastructure initiatives to address pollution.

Gupta highlighted that her six-year-old Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government inherited longstanding issues from previous administrations, including air quality and water management challenges. To combat pollution, the government introduced Delhi’s first dust mitigation plan, deployed 1,000 water sprinklers citywide, and mandated smog guns for high-rise buildings. Additionally, Gupta revealed plans to transition the entire public transport fleet to electric vehicles, with an updated EV policy in progress. To address winter air pollution, a scheme is being developed to curb wood burning by security guards for warmth.

The government’s focus on the Yamuna River has yielded results, with Gupta noting that desilting efforts removed 25,000 metric tonnes of silt from major drains like Barapulla and Shahdara. These measures prevented floodwater from spreading beyond the river’s floodplains this year, mitigating waterlogging in residential areas despite heavy discharges from the Hathnikund barrage. The administration’s efforts ensured no major flooding incidents, a significant improvement over past years.

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Gupta also addressed infrastructure deficits in Delhi’s 700 slum clusters and 1,800 unauthorised colonies, where residents face inadequate sewer connections, water supply, and living conditions. Her government is prioritising basic amenities, including sewer lines, water pipelines, quality roads, and enhanced healthcare and education access. By tackling these “legacy” issues, Gupta aims to build a cleaner, greener, and more inclusive Delhi, with the 'Namo Van' initiative as a cornerstone of her environmental strategy.

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