6) Infrastructure Growth — 6/10
Delhi Metro Phase-III added key links (e.g., Grey Line opened in Oct 2019), improving access for outer areas like Najafgarh.
This made commutes faster and safer for many daily travellers.
Roads, drainage and buses matter too, but public bus expansion lagged the metro pace in this period.
We score medium: metro expansion is a clear win, but we wanted broader, documented gains across roads + buses.
Overall, the city moved forward, but not evenly across all modes.
Example: Grey Line (Dwarka–Najafgarh) started in 2019, easing travel. Embassy of Japan in India mint
7) Water & Sanitation Access — 6.5/10
Tap water reach improved; a large majority of homes had access by 2019–20.
But sewage treatment still lagged demand, and the Yamuna stayed polluted—showing the gap between pipes in and treatment out.
People care about hours of supply and water quality; both remain mixed across colonies.
We credit coverage gains, deduct for treatment and river health.
Result: a good but unfinished story.
Example: High network coverage, but treatment gaps keep Yamuna dirty. delhiplanning.delhi.gov.in ORF Online
8) Fiscal Responsibility — 8.5/10
CAG records show Delhi kept a revenue surplus from 2014–15 to 2018–19.
Surplus means the state didn’t overshoot on day-to-day spending and could fund capital works or cut debt.
Delhi also launched an Outcome Budget (2017–18)—a public document that links money → outputs → outcomes.
This is rare in India and raises transparency for citizens.
We reward sound finances + clear reporting.
Example: Outcome Budget + revenue surplus for multiple years. Comptroller and Auditor General of India+1 delhiplanning.delhi.gov.in
9) Environmental Health — 4.5/10
Despite efforts (odd-even, etc.), air quality stayed very poor in 2019; PM2.5 annual average was around 108 μg/m³ (very unhealthy).
2020 saw some lockdown-related improvement, but the regional airshed problem (stubble, industry, weather) keeps pollution high.
People experienced many “very poor/severe” days, a real health risk.
We recognise policy effort, but we score outcomes people breathe every day.
Hence the low score.
Example: 2019 pollution emergency; PM2.5 ~108 μg/m³; better in 2020 due to lockdown. Hindustan Times TIME cpcb.nic.in
10) Social Equity — 7/10
From Oct 2019, women could ride government buses for free; studies show their ridership share rose ~20% by 2023.
Clinics and school upgrades especially help low-income families in outer wards.
Some targeted welfare arms struggled to reach every eligible group, reminding us that design + delivery both matter.
We reward steps that make access cheaper and safer for women and the poor.
Score reflects big, inclusive moves, with room to deepen coverage.
Example: Free bus travel for women improved mobility and safety. The Indian Express WRI India