TC Web Desk
Presenting its budget for 2022-23 on Friday, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) proposed to ban the purchase of diesel and petrol-powered passenger vehicles and set up over 100 e-charging stations in its area. The civic body will also work on a common payment portal and smart bus shelter projects for all its services.
In his budget speech, the civic body’s chief Dharmendra said, “NDMC is a leader in measures to reduce pollution, and we have resolved to stop the purchase of petrol or diesel-powered passenger vehicles.”
As of now, the NDMC has installed 60 e-charging stations in its region and is planning to install 100 more in 2022. A fleet of e-scooters is planned to be deployed this year, complementing the smart bikes. Its cycle-in-city scheme is expected to put in place dedicated cycle tracks for office goers to cycle to work in a safe and enjoyable manner.
Other proposals include developing smart bus queue shelters in consultation with the Delhi Transport Corporation, more pink toilets for women and constructing third gender toilets, and resurfacing 20 roads in the New Delhi area.
Announcing its ambitious plans to switch to 100% renewable energy, the NDMC said it has not renewed its power purchase agreements with thermal power generating stations after the expiry of its power purchase agreements. The body said it is entering into fresh purchase agreements only with renewable energy providers, which include hydro and solar power.
Apart from this, NDMC is also going to start a common payment portal, Pay-Gov for all services in 2022-23. The same blockchain-based applications in the areas of birth and death registration, property and wealth tax, chain-based applications will be completed by March 31.
“The revised estimate of total receipts in the Budget Estimate for the year 2022-23 is Rs.4381.43 crore as against the estimated Rs.3814.30 crore for 2021-22,” Dharmendra said.
