The Indian Youth Congress on Friday launched its ‘Behtar Delhi’ campaign, aiming to draw attention to a wide range of urban challenges such as pollution and waste management.
Speaking at a press conference, party leaders said the initiative, which is being rolled out in Delhi initially, will later be expanded to other cities across the country as part of a broader effort to bring urban issues into sharper political focus.
Unveiling the campaign, Ajay Maken, treasurer of the Indian National Congress, said, “The Indian Youth Congress has launched a comprehensive programme to address the problems faced by people in urban areas across the country. Today, urban residents deal with numerous challenges, but unfortunately these concerns often do not find a place in political discourse or receive the attention they deserve.” He added that the campaign would evolve into a “mass movement” centred on issue-based politics, with party workers directly engaging citizens to gather feedback and work towards “practical solutions.”
National president Uday Bhanu Chib said the campaign would focus on the everyday struggles of city dwellers. He also noted that the organisation would continue its outreach to gig workers and push for legislation aimed at providing them relief. Announcing a conference in Delhi next month, Chib said, “Through this initiative, we will demand that the government introduce specific legislation to support these workers.”
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Describing the campaign as city-centric, Chib said it seeks to address issues like pollution and civic infrastructure. “This campaign is dedicated to Delhi’s residents, especially children who have suffered due to severe pollution—a crisis that the government has failed to address,” he said. He alleged that Delhi, once known for its greenery, is now being labelled a “pollution capital” and a “gas chamber,” holding both the Bharatiya Janata Party and the former Aam Aadmi Party government responsible.
Highlighting seasonal challenges, he said, “In summer, there is an acute shortage of drinking water. During the monsoon, roads are submerged due to waterlogging. In winter, pollution chokes the city.” He added that the Youth Congress would engage citizens in dialogue and “wage a determined struggle against the government.”
Among the key demands of the campaign are removal of garbage dumps, addressing waterlogging, ensuring round-the-clock access to clean drinking water, improving school safety through CCTV surveillance, curbing pollution, relocating industrial units outside city limits, and making the Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s financial records public.
Delhi Congress chief Devender Yadav said the initiative comes at a time when the capital is facing multiple civic challenges. “Delhi, which once witnessed remarkable progress, is now in a condition where its problems are visible to all,” he said, pointing to issues like garbage accumulation, pollution, waterlogging and power outages.
He also highlighted the emergence of new garbage dumping sites in areas such as Kirari, Bawana and Narela, alleging that authorities have failed to resolve waste management issues despite repeated assurances.
As part of the campaign launch, party leaders also unveiled a poster and a missed-call number (9811867474) to encourage public participation, stating that citizen engagement would play a central role in shaping the campaign’s agenda.
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