Why You Absolutely Need To Pay Attention To The Union Budget 2026 If You Live In Delhi

If you are someone who lives in Delhi NCR or someone you love lives around the city, there might be a big update for you in the Budget 2026. Union Budget 2026–27 has reduced the allocation for pollution

abatement to Rs. 1,091 crore, down from Rs. 1,300 crore in the previous year’s revised estimates. This cut comes at a time when major cities continue to struggle with toxic smog and an increasing number of extreme climate events, leaving clean-air initiatives with fewer resources at a moment when they are needed the most. The reduction raises questions about how environmental health is being prioritised within the broader fiscal agenda.

The Update

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has been allocated Rs. 3,759.46 crore for 2026–27, up from Rs. 3,481.61 crore last year. While this reflects an 8% increase, the rise remains modest compared to India’s growing vulnerability to erratic weather patterns, heatwaves, floods, and other climate-related risks.Interestingly, allocations have gone up for institutions such as the Zoological Survey of India and the Botanical Survey of India, signalling an investment in scientific and ecological research. The National Green Tribunal, which plays a critical role in climate litigation and environmental enforcement, has also received higher funding.A particularly notable jump appears in the National Mission for a Green India, whose allocation has increased from Rs. 95.7 crore to Rs. 212.50 crore for 2026–27, pointing to a renewed focus on afforestation and ecological restoration.

There Is An Issue

However, pollution continues to be a major issue, not only for public health but also for economic stability. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, economist Gita Gopinath emphasised that pollution poses a far greater threat to India’s economy than tariffs, underlining the urgent need for structural and environmental reforms.Ahead of the Union Budget, Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi also called for a parliamentary debate on pollution. “Pollution is no longer just an environmental issue; it is a national health emergency. Parliament must discuss it,” he said. “The government must act. And this Budget must put real resources behind real solutions. Indians are not asking for reports or rhetoric. They are asking for clean air,” he wrote in a Facebook post.Historical spending patterns illustrate the magnitude of the challenge. In 2024–25, the pollution control budget began at Rs. 854 crore, later increased to address shortfalls, but actual expenditure amounted to just Rs. 16 crore, a massive underutilisation that highlights gaps between policy announcements and on-ground implementation.The government maintains that pollution remains a central focus, pointing to the various funding channels aimed at improving air and water quality. According to Anuradha Thakur, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, “Pollution is a priority for the government. We are working with many state governments on projects related to air and water pollution. There is significant budgetary outlay on sewage control as well as drainage.” She added that a large portion of grants is tied to water and sanitation systems, noting that, “Pollution of all kinds remains our top priority, and there are different ways in which we are trying to tackle it.”