Delhi MCD Approves Rs 12.5 Crore Festive Clean-Up and LED Drive
In preparation for the festive season, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has approved ₹12.5 crore to execute a citywide sanitation and infrastructure upgrade. The move, cleared during the civic body’s monthly general house meeting, is part of a broader effort to ensure Delhi projects a cleaner, greener and more citizen-friendly image ahead of Diwali and other upcoming festivals.
According to senior officials, the fund will be directed towards intensive cleaning, repairing internal roads, and managing waste collection across all wards. The MCD’s sanitation department has been instructed to focus on both residential and market areas, ensuring faster garbage clearance and proper disposal in compliance with the city’s solid waste management policy.As part of the initiative, the civic body also announced the installation of 50 new LED streetlights in every ward, aimed at enhancing road safety and energy efficiency. Councillors have urged that the number be doubled to meet rising local demands, citing the success of LED installations in reducing power consumption and maintenance costs.
The MCD also extended the Toll Tax and Environment Compensation Charge (ECC) collection contract for another three months. The contractor will continue weekly remittances of ₹16.61 crore, with officials emphasising that revenue from these charges plays a crucial role in environmental management and pollution control measures within the city.Civic planners and sustainability experts have welcomed the initiative, calling it a step towards “green governance” in an urban environment battling pollution and waste mismanagement. “Urban India must adopt circular waste models and green infrastructure planning. Delhi’s approach to combining sanitation with energy-efficient lighting is a positive signal,” said a senior urban policy expert.
Beyond sanitation, symbolic steps were also taken to strengthen civic identity several roads in Burari were renamed in honour of national heroes, reflecting a push to create a more inclusive and locally rooted urban identity.However, urban development observers note that short-term sanitation drives, while beneficial, must evolve into long-term behavioural and systemic reforms. Delhi generates over 11,000 tonnes of waste daily, and experts insist that only decentralised waste segregation, composting, and community participation can achieve sustainable cleanliness goals.The MCD’s renewed focus on cleanliness and civic amenities underlines Delhi’s evolving commitment to sustainability, energy efficiency, and public well-being. As the festive season approaches, the success of this drive will depend on citizen cooperation and the administration’s ability to transform short-term campaigns into lasting urban resilience.Delhi’s clean-up effort, if executed effectively, could serve as a model for other Indian cities striving to balance festive fervour with environmental responsibility.
