Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched the "Swachh Hawa, Swasth Delhi" clean-air programme and inaugurated 18 Namo Oxygen Parks on June 5 [1], [2].
The initiative represents a massive effort to tackle the city's chronic air quality crisis, a public health emergency that affects millions of residents annually.
The programme is valued at ₹8,300 crore [2]. According to the administration, the project is supported by the World Bank and is designed to run over a seven-year period [2]. The comprehensive plan aims to transform the regional air quality through systemic infrastructure changes and pollution mitigation strategies.
As part of the launch, the Chief Minister inaugurated 18 Namo Oxygen Parks [1]. These green spaces, including a site at Maidangarhi, are intended to serve as urban lungs for the city [1]. The parks are a central component of the broader strategy to increase vegetation, and reduce the concentration of pollutants in densely populated areas.
"Today, we are taking a decisive step towards cleaner air for Delhi," Gupta said [1].
The funding and technical support from the World Bank are expected to accelerate the implementation of the seven-year plan [2]. By combining large-scale financial investment with localized greening projects, the administration seeks to create a sustainable model for urban air management.
"The Rs 8,300 crore plan, supported by the World Bank, will transform Delhi's air quality," Gupta said [2].
“"Today, we are taking a decisive step towards cleaner air for Delhi,"”
The scale of the "Swachh Hawa, Swasth Delhi" initiative indicates a shift toward long-term, internationally funded infrastructure projects rather than short-term emergency measures. By securing World Bank support for a seven-year timeline, Delhi is attempting to move from reactive pollution control to a systemic overhaul of its urban environment.
