The Delhi Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, approved a doubling of the monthly incentive for 6,725 ASHA workers — from ₹3,000 to ₹6,000 — and launched the groundwork for safe and affordable hostel accommodation for 10,000 students across the national capital. The decisions were among a cluster of welfare and infrastructure measures cleared at the Cabinet sitting.

ASHA Workers Get Direct Benefit Boost

The incentive hike for the Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers will be disbursed as direct financial benefits, according to an official statement. ASHA workers are the frontline link between communities and government health schemes, playing a central role in child vaccination drives and connecting beneficiaries to public healthcare programmes.

The Delhi government said the move is intended to strengthen the primary healthcare system at its grassroots level. The incentive had remained at ₹3,000 per month before Tuesday's revision, and the doubling represents the most significant revision to the scheme in recent years.

Student Hostel Policy Under Preparation

On student welfare, the Cabinet initiated the process to provide hostel facilities covering both girls and boys, with secure campuses and student-friendly amenities. The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said locations are being identified and a dedicated policy is under preparation for time-bound implementation. The scheme is designed to help students — particularly those from outside Delhi — focus on their education without the burden of expensive or unsafe accommodation.

Kishau Dam MoU: A Long-Term Water Security Bet

The Cabinet also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil for facilitating the signing of an inter-state Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Kishau Multipurpose Dam Project. Delhi has signed the MoU alongside five other states.

The ₹15,000 crore project is situated on the Tons river along the Himachal Pradesh–Uttarakhand border. It is expected to generate 422 MW of hydroelectric power, irrigate 97,000 hectares, and supply 517 million cubic metres of drinking water annually — with a direct impact on Delhi's seasonal water stress and the rejuvenation of the Yamuna.

The CMO stated: 'Delhi has signed the MoU with five other states. For the national capital, benefits are substantial and long-term. It will strengthen drinking water security, improve availability during lean-flow months, reduce seasonal pressure on supply and support rejuvenation and conservation of Yamuna.' The office added that Delhi would 'gain a stronger, more reliable water framework for its growing population, while also contributing to irrigation, water conservation and clean energy across North India.'

This comes amid long-standing concerns about Delhi's dependence on upstream river flows, which have historically made the city vulnerable to supply shortfalls in summer months.

500 Ultra-Modern Toilet Blocks Approved

Separately, the Delhi government's expenditure and finance panel cleared an outlay of ₹266.26 crore for the construction of 500 ultra-modern toilet blocks for tourists. The facilities will be equipped with solar panels, CCTV surveillance, and mechanical ventilation systems, the government said.

Engineers' Day Event

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also attended an event organised by the Delhi Engineers Association on the occasion of Engineers' Day. In a post on X, Gupta said the occasion included floral tributes to 'Bharat Ratna' Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, attended alongside State BJP President and Minister of State Harsh Malhotra.

With policy frameworks for both the student hostel scheme and the Kishau dam project still being finalised, the full impact of Tuesday's Cabinet decisions will become clearer in the months ahead.