Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday announced that the government will soon introduce a new electric vehicle (EV) policy that includes subsidies to encourage EV adoption among citizens. Speaking at the valedictory session of the Aironomics 2025 convention, Gupta underlined the Delhi government’s comprehensive initiatives to tackle air pollution. She said the government’s long-term vision includes transforming all vehicles in the capital, including private ones, into electric vehicles.
“We will urge people to purchase electric vehicles, for which they will be provided subsidies,” she said, as per news agency PTI.
Highlighting air pollution as a persistent, year-round challenge, the Chief Minister said her government is hiring 1,000 water sprinklers that will be deployed to reduce dust pollution across the city. “These sprinklers will operate in the early morning and late night hours to avoid traffic congestion on the roads,” she added.
Gupta also informed that integrated machines are being deployed across all 70 Assembly constituencies in Delhi to carry out mechanical road sweeping, water sprinkling, and litter collection.
Calling upon the public to support the government’s green mission, she said, “Let us ensure a clean and green Delhi by joining government efforts to prevent biomass burning, expand green cover, and promote EV adoption.”
‘There’s Momentum’: Ex-New And Renewable Energy Secretary On Delhi Air Pollution Battle
Former New and Renewable Energy Secretary Bhupinder Bhalla, who also spoke at the session titled ‘Turning the Tide: Delhi’s Moment to Lead on Clean Air’, emphasised the need for synergy between the Central and Delhi governments to combat air pollution.
“Earlier, one would say not much is happening, but now there’s momentum. Now there are two common governments with a common agenda in Delhi. Even the local bodies are also on the same page. Therefore, anything that is decided will be implemented by everyone and at a much faster pace,” Bhalla told PTI.
Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) Chairman Sanjiv Kumar stressed the importance of cost-efficient, real-time pollution monitoring. “We want to improve efficiency so that we can do more coverage and find better solutions. If we can identify whether a plant in a particular location is causing a surge, we’ll be able to intervene more effectively,” he said.
The summit also marked the launch of Phase 2 of the Air Quality Action Forum (AQAF), jointly announced by the Paytm Foundation and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). According to a statement, the platform will support cities and innovators with tools, data, and financing models to scale local clean air solutions.
