New Delhi, March 24: Health and Transport Minister Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh expressed gratitude for the comprehensive and welfare-oriented budget presented by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. He highlighted that the allocation of ₹13,034 crores for the health department and ₹12,613 crores for the transport department reflects the government’s firm commitment to ensuring accessible and affordable health services for all in Delhi, alongside developing a sustainable, efficient, and future-oriented transport system.
The minister stated that this budget is based on the principle of “right to treatment, not charity,” while also promoting a green, congestion-free, and citizen-centric transport system. He mentioned that the government is strengthening service delivery by completing pending projects in both sectors.
Dr. Singh noted that the ₹13,034 crores allocation is a significant step towards building a robust, inclusive, and affordable health system, covering services from primary to critical care.
To expedite infrastructure work in various hospitals, including Madanpur Khadar, Siraspur, Hastsal, and Jwalapuri, ₹515 crores have been allocated. Upgradation works will also be carried out at Rao Tula Ram Memorial Hospital, Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital, and Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital. The construction of Lok Nayak Jay Prakash Hospital and Satyavadi Raja Harishchandra Hospital will also be completed, with ₹150 crores earmarked for the construction of seven ICU hospitals.
To strengthen health services, ₹787 crores have been allocated for the procurement of medicines, medical equipment, and machinery through the Central Procurement Agency (CPA).
Under the Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), the scheme will be expanded in Delhi to include ration card holders, ASHA and Anganwadi workers, widows, and persons with disabilities, covering approximately 750,000 beneficiaries. The scheme will also extend to the transgender community, with an allocation of ₹202 crores.
To enhance primary health services, over 750 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs will be established under PM-ABHIM at a joint cost of ₹1,500 crores.
Additionally, 11 Integrated Public Health Labs and 9 Critical Care Blocks will be set up. With the support of the central government, new health facilities, including a trauma center at Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital, will be developed at a cost of approximately ₹200 crores.
In the field of medical education, there is also an expansion, increasing MBBS seats from 595 to 820 and PG seats from 553 to 762. Furthermore, ₹50 crores have been allocated for the establishment of a new medical college at Indira Gandhi Hospital in Dwarka and for hostel facilities at Maulana Azad Medical College.
Under the ‘Anmol’ (Advanced Newborn Monitoring and Optimal Lifecare) scheme, free screening for 56 genetic diseases in newborns will be conducted using a single blood sample, enabling timely treatment. Additionally, to improve emergency services, a real-time monitoring system for ventilators and bed availability, a digital blood bank, and a donor registry will be developed in government and private hospitals.
Regarding the transport department, the minister stated that the ₹12,613 crores allocation demonstrates the government’s commitment to building a green and congestion-free transport system.
Currently, over 4,300 electric buses are operating in Delhi, the highest in the country. Under the PM e-Drive initiative, an additional 6,130 electric buses will be added in phases. The government’s goal is to have a fleet of 7,500 buses by March 2027, including 5,800 electric buses, and to achieve a 100% electric fleet of approximately 12,000 buses by 2029.
For DMRC’s Phase Four and Phase Five projects, ₹2,885 crores have been allocated to ensure the expansion of the metro network. Additionally, ₹568 crores have been allocated for Nammo Bharat (RRTS) projects, including the Delhi-NNB and Delhi-Panipat corridors, which will enhance connectivity in the NCR and reduce travel time by up to 60%.
An allocation of ₹200 crores has been made for the upcoming Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy 2.0, promoting EV adoption through incentives and infrastructure development. The pending subsidy of ₹24 crores from previous years has also been released.
In line with the government’s green vision, ₹50 crores have been allocated for establishing five new Automated Testing Stations (ATS) at various locations, including Bawana, Ghazipur, and GT Karnal Road, addressing pending issues related to over 650,000 commercial vehicles.
To promote last-mile connectivity and electrification, ₹320 crores have been allocated for bus depots, charging infrastructure, and other capital works. Additionally, ₹10 crores have been allocated for feasibility studies for de-congestion projects such as flyovers, elevated corridors, and proposed parallel ring roads.
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