Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta addresses a gathering during the launch of ‘Delhi’s Freedom from Garbage Cleanliness Drive’ on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched a city-wide cleanliness drive on Tuesday, which will be conducted from August 1 to 31.
The campaign, titled ‘Delhi’s Freedom from Garbage Cleanliness Drive’, will bring together multiple agencies and citizens under a common motive – to make the Capital cleaner, greener and garbage-free.
“We are writing a golden chapter in Delhi’s history. For the first time, agencies such as the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Public Works Department, Delhi Police, and others will work together in full coordination. Every citizen must take ownership under the campaign,” Ms. Gupta said, adding that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has been allocated ₹5 crore for this campaign.
To encourage community participation, she announced cash rewards of ₹25 lakh for the best-performing Resident Welfare Association, ₹15 lakh and ₹10 lakh for the second and third positions respectively.
The CM also said that the first two days of the drive will focus on clearing backlogs in schools, hospitals, and offices. During Saturdays and Sundays, efforts will be made to clean up unauthorised colonies and slum clusters. Special drives are planned at the Yamuna ghats on August 14, 21, and 28, while the drive will be conducted at the Ring Road on August 29 and 31.
Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood asserted that cleanliness must not be limited to VIP zones, and the “real soul” of Delhi resides in slum clusters and unauthorised colonies.
“For decades, these areas were deprived of cleanliness and dignity as if it were a privilege of the rich. This drive will change that narrative,” he said.
Published – July 30, 2025 01:18 am IST
