New Delhi, Jan 6: Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Monday addressed the Winter Session of the Delhi Assembly, outlining the Rekha Gupta led government’s achievements during its first 10 months in office. Speaking for over 40 minutes, Saxena emphasized key initiatives in healthcare, education, infrastructure, sanitation, and pollution control while also pointing to legacy challenges such as administrative inertia and past neglect.
Air pollution topped the LG’s list of urgent priorities. “Clean air is not a privilege; it is a fundamental right of every citizen,” Saxena said. Highlighting a year-round approach, he noted that the government launched a comprehensive Air Pollution Mitigation Plan in June 2025, moving beyond the seasonal measures of previous administrations.
Saxena also cited the historic Rs 1 lakh crore budget presented this year, focusing on infrastructure, education, health, women’s welfare, power, roads, environment, and social justice. Reforms such as 24-hour commercial operations (excluding liquor shops), simplified fire and factory licensing, and eased labor regulations were also highlighted.
The session witnessed protests from AAP MLAs, who wore masks and raised slogans during Saxena’s address. Four MLAs were marshaled out by Speaker Vijender Gupta, prompting a walkout and a sit-in by others near the Mahatma Gandhi statue.
On environmental initiatives, Saxena said six new Air Quality Monitoring Stations are being set up to ensure real-time data transparency, while three Automated Testing Stations at Nand Nagri, Burari, and Tehkhand will test approximately 2.5 lakh commercial vehicles annually. Measures for dust control include double-shift road sweepers, water sprinkling, and anti-smog guns. Financial assistance of Rs 2,300 crore will be provided to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi over 10 years for 70 MRSMs and 1,000 litter picker machines.
Road infrastructure has seen major improvements, with 150 km renovated so far and 400 km under construction or redevelopment, including development plans for Delhi-MG Road, Mathura Road, and Rohtak Road. To address long-standing waterlogging, around 22 lakh metric tonnes of silt have been cleared from city drains.
Saxena stressed efforts to make Delhi garbage-free by 2027, tackling the three main landfill sites at Bhalswa, Ghazipur, and Okhla. Work to rejuvenate the heavily polluted Yamuna River is ongoing, with new sewage treatment plants and upgrades to existing facilities.
“The foremost challenge before my government has been to overcome the inertia and negativity that pervaded administration for years. Within just 10 months, significant and concrete steps have been taken to address these issues,” Saxena told the House.