New Delhi | Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday inaugurated 'Arpan Kendra' at the Punjabi Bagh West Metro station, launching an initiative to collect, reuse, recycle and upcycle old clothes through donation centres set up at Delhi Metro stations.
The initiative, launched in collaboration with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and the Delhi Metro Ladies Welfare Organisation, aims to reduce textile waste, promote sustainable use of resources and generate livelihood opportunities for women’s self-help groups.
Speaking at the inauguration, Gupta said the project is part of the government's efforts to promote responsible waste management and environmental conservation. She said reusing and recycling old clothes can help save water, energy and other natural resources while ensuring that usable garments reach people who need them.
The chief minister also inspected the QR code-based digital donation system introduced for the initiative. Under the system, people can donate usable clothes through a digital process and receive an electronic receipt.
According to a statement, 'Arpan Kendras' are being established at 10 major Delhi Metro stations. In the first phase, centres have become operational at Punjabi Bagh West, Shalimar Bagh, Mayur Vihar Phase-1, Shahdara and Rohini West metro stations. An MoU has already been signed among the organisations involved in implementing the project.
Textile collection kiosks have been installed at the selected stations where people can deposit usable old clothes, it said and added the digital system has been introduced to make the donation process transparent and convenient.
The initiative also involves women's self-help groups, which will manage the collection, segregation, recycling and upcycling of donated garments.
Gupta appealed to residents to donate clothes that are no longer in use but are still wearable. She said even small contributions from households could help reduce textile waste reaching landfills and support environmental conservation.
The programme was attended by Madipur MLA Kailash Gangwal, DMRC Managing Director Dr Vikas Kumar, Delhi Metro Ladies Welfare Organisation President Dr Shalini Singh and other officials.
