Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday said the national capital is poised to scale new heights in development, thanks to the “balanced and growth-oriented” Budget presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Allocation unchanged
Under the 2026-27 Budget, the first after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in Delhi, total transfers to the city from the Centre have been kept unchanged at ₹1,348.01 crore. This includes ₹968.01 crore under the revenue head and ₹380 crore under capital expenditure.
The allocation remains the same as the 2025-26 Budget Estimates, though the revised estimates for the year had reduced it to ₹1,242 crore.
Describing the announcement of the Delhi-Varanasi high-speed rail corridor as a historic decision, Ms. Gupta said the project would be a “game changer” for connectivity and economic activity. The corridor is expected to significantly reduce travel time between the two cities while boosting tourism, trade and industrial growth. The Chief Minister said the project will generate employment opportunities and strengthen Delhi’s position as a major transport hub, with the improved connectivity enhancing the ease of doing business in the Capital.
Ease of doing business
“The project will strengthen ease of doing business and reinforce Delhi’s role as a key hub of national development,” she said.
Ms. Gupta also highlighted the provision of disaster management grants for cities, noting that Delhi is expected to benefit from these allocations.
She termed the ₹1.4 lakh crore allocation for capital expenditure support to States a “progressive and forward-looking move that would inject fresh momentum” into development initiatives across the country.
The Chief Minister said the Budget has been framed keeping in mind the interests of all sections of society. She emphasised that special focus has been placed on farmers, youth, women and economically weaker sections.
Measures aimed at increasing farmers’ income, strengthening rural infrastructure and creating large-scale employment opportunities for young people have been accorded priority, she said, terming the Budget “balanced and growth-oriented”.
BJP’s Chandni Chowk MP and secretary general of the Confederation of All India Traders Praveen Khandelwal said the Budget is a “fine blend of visionary thinking, practical policymaking and economic empowerment”.
He said proposals made by Ms. Sitharaman will accelerate India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.
‘Boost for swadeshi’
Mr. Khandelwal added that aligning budgetary provisions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for “swadeshi (Indian-made)” would strengthen domestic manufacturing, boost exports and open new markets for Indian traders and entrepreneurs.
“The Budget sends a strong message of confidence and clarity, reinforcing India’s long-term economic road map,” said the BJP MP.
