New Delhi, July 12, 2025 – Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta kicked off a new project today to make the city free of overhead wires. The launch happened in Shalimar Bagh, where Gupta introduced a pilot project to shift power lines underground. She said, “Not a single wire will be visible,” promising a cleaner look for Delhi.
The initiative comes with a budget of ₹100 crore. Rekha Gupta, who took charge as CM in February 2025, wants to solve the messy tangle of wires seen across the city. These wires often cause power faults, with a 2018 study from the Indian Journal of Power and Energy noting that over 70% of electrical issues in Delhi come from them. The plan also aims to reduce risks like sparks, especially in crowded areas during the monsoon.
The project started at Janata Flats, with Delhi Minister Ashish Sood joining CM. They hope to copy ideas from places like Singapore, where underground cables cut electrical hazards by 40% according to a 2020 IEEE study. However, Delhi’s size and rainy season could make it tougher to complete.
People on social media have mixed feelings. Some welcome the change, saying it will beautify the city. Others doubt it will work, pointing to past failures like the 2015 Delhi Power Plan. A 2019 CAG report showed that plan only covered 40% of its goals due to delays and mismanagement.
She also talked about waterlogging after recent rains, ordering officials to fix drainage. The wire-free drive is a big step, but many wonder if it will succeed where others failed. Work has just begun, and it will take time to see results. For now, residents wait to see if Delhi’s skyline will really clear up.