In a decisive step towards sustainability and improved civic services, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has approved a series of high-impact initiatives focused on renewable energy, utility upgrades, sanitation, flood prevention, and cultural development.

At its latest council meeting, NDMC sanctioned the procurement of 120 MW of renewable energy from NHPC Ltd at Rs 4.62 per unit for a 25-year period, aligning with its transition to green energy and targeting peak electricity demands.

To strengthen smart infrastructure, the council approved projects exceeding Rs 400 million (approx. USD 48 million). These include a Rs 308.4 million upgrade to install over 15,000 smart water meters, replacing faulty units for enhanced monitoring. An additional Rs 45.6 million will go towards replacing old electricity meters with smart variants, offering real-time consumption data and improving billing accuracy.

In flood control, Rs 704.4 million was sanctioned for the desilting of Sunehari nullah at Lodhi Road, a project to be carried out by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). To bolster sanitation ahead of the monsoon, NDMC allocated Rs 52 million for hydraulic high-pressure jetting machines.

For large public gatherings, Rs 41.8 million has been earmarked for mobile comfort stations and urinals in high-footfall areas, aiming to improve public hygiene.

Cultural advancement also featured prominently, with 1 per cent of NDMC’s annual budget dedicated to arts and culture. The NDMC Urban Arts and Culture Forum will use this funding to organise exhibitions, festivals, and community-based cultural initiatives.

The council also approved several employee welfare measures, including revisions to recruitment rules, easing of housing norms, and enhanced medical allowances for healthcare staff.

All initiatives are aligned with the national vision of "Viksit Bharat@2047", reaffirming NDMC’s commitment to being a model for future-ready civic governance and a smart urban ecosystem.