The Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) is changing the way it takes care of green spaces along the roads. To control dust pollution and improve the look of the city, the department has decided to hire specialized horticulture agencies. These agencies will manage the plants and green areas on central verges and roadsides. This step is being taken urgently before the AI Impact Summit, which is scheduled to happen at Bharat Mandapam from February 16 to 20, 2026.
New Zone-Wise System for Better Maintenance
The government has changed the old system of giving tenders division-wise. Now, the tenders are being released zone-wise, covering North, Northwest, and South zones. This means a single agency can handle all the planting and maintenance work for an entire zone. This change aims to fix accountability and ensure better work quality across the city.
Under the new rules, the selected agencies must handle both planting and daily maintenance together. Earlier, different contractors used to do these jobs separately, which often caused coordination issues. The new specialized agencies will follow a 12-point action plan, which includes tasks like soil loosening every 15 days and using fertilizers twice a year. The rules also make it mandatory to pave roadsides completely to cover open soil and reduce dust.
Funding and Project Deadlines
The PWD has set a target to finish the repair and restoration of 500 km of major roads by March 2026. The appointment of specialized agencies for all 11 PWD circles is also expected to be completed by the same deadline. PWD Minister Parvesh Verma has confirmed that these projects are on a fast track.
- Total Budget: The annual infrastructure budget is estimated at ₹15,000 crore.
- Central Funds: The Delhi government received ₹800 crore from the Central Government for road repairs.
- CRIF Allocation: ₹803 crore has been sanctioned under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund specifically for dust control and re-carpeting.
- Event Date: The beautification drive is being speeded up for the AI Impact Summit in mid-February 2026.
