Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday inaugurated a pilot project in Shalimar Bagh aimed at eliminating overhead wires in the city by shifting them underground, marking a major step toward improving Delhi’s urban infrastructure.
Launching the initiative from the Janata Flats area, CM Gupta emphasized her government’s vision of transforming Delhi into a completely overhead wire-free city, saying, “A time will come when not a single wire will be visible in Delhi.”
Calling the project a “gift for Delhi,” CM Gupta explained that Rs 100 crore had been allocated in the budget for the underground wiring initiative. She cited both safety and aesthetics as key drivers behind the project. “The tangled mess of wires in Delhi’s narrow lanes has always posed a risk. People will now be able to look up and see the blue sky,” she added.
Delhi Minister Ashish Sood, who accompanied the Chief Minister, said the move is also aimed at strengthening the city’s power infrastructure and reducing hazards from exposed wiring. He noted that despite financial challenges, the government is working to modernize Delhi’s electricity systems.
Apart from the wire-free drive, CM Gupta addressed concerns about waterlogging in parts of Delhi following recent heavy rains. While expressing satisfaction over improved drainage at Minto Road and ITO, she instructed officials to extend similar efficiency citywide.
During a review meeting with PWD Minister Pravesh Verma and senior officials from departments involved in flood control and drainage, CM Gupta issued a warning: “Any negligence in dealing with waterlogging will not be tolerated.” She urged teams to continuously inspect roadside drains and take swift preventive measures to avoid disruptions during the monsoon.
The twin focus on infrastructure overhaul and monsoon preparedness underscores the Gupta administration’s renewed push for a cleaner, safer, and more livable national capital.