Delhi Metro’s effective initiative for better utilisation of old clothes: CM Rekha Gupta

New Delhi- For people in Delhi struggling with how to store or properly dispose of old clothes, Delhi Metro’s Arpan Centres have emerged as a useful option. Set up at 10 Delhi Metro stations, these centres allow people to deposit clothes they no longer need or use. The clothes are then turned into useful materials through reuse, upcycling and recycling. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that the Arpan Centres of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation were not only offering a practical solution to the problem of properly disposing of old clothes, but were also playing an important role in turning them into useful products through reuse and recycling.

Over 41 tonnes of clothes collected at 10 Arpan Centres

As of August 31, a total of 3,940 people had deposited 41,181.59 kg of clothes at the 10 Arpan Centres. The Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital centre recorded the highest collection at 9,861.40 kg, followed by the Shalimar Bagh centre with 9,761.03 kg.

The Punjabi Bagh West centre collected 6,534.98 kg of clothes, while the Shahdara centre collected 6,386.08 kg. The collections at the other centres were 5,189.40 kg at Mayur Vihar-I, 1,680.70 kg at Hauz Khas, 689.40 kg at Dwarka-Kakrola, 467.40 kg at Malviya Nagar, 395.70 kg at Lajpat Nagar and 215.50 kg at Mohan Estate. Five centres were launched on August 3, while the remaining centres became operational on August 12 and 17.

Rugs, bags and other useful items being made from old clothes

The clothes collected at the Arpan Centres are being sorted into different categories and sent for further processing according to their intended use. A portion of the material received was set aside for reuse and upcycling, while a large quantity was sent for recycling. According to the information provided, around 4,266 kg of material was earmarked for reuse/upcycling and 29,424 kg for recycling.

Self-help groups are using the clothes to make useful products such as rugs, folders, key rings, pouches, bags and torans. These products are also being displayed at the Arpan Centres. In this way, old clothes donated by people are being turned into new, useful products instead of simply ending up as waste.

Sale of products made from old clothes, 10 more centres proposed

Products made from old clothes are also being sold at these centres. The 10 Arpan Centres have recorded total sales of ₹27,036. An important aspect of the initiative is that old clothes are not merely being collected but are also being turned into useful products and sold. This is helping create a practical system for making better use of old clothes.

To expand the reach of the Arpan Centres, a proposal has now been made to open 10 more centres. These centres are proposed to be opened in January 2027. They include Model Town, INA, IP Extension, Paschim Vihar West, Rajendra Place, Janakpuri West, Rajouri Garden, Greater Kailash, Dwarka Sector 10 and Chhatarpur Metro stations.

Delhi Metro’s effective initiative: CM Rekha Gupta

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that the Arpan Centres were an important initiative that offered a practical solution to the problem of properly disposing of old clothes while also helping turn them into useful products through reuse and recycling. “The participation of Delhi residents can help expand this system further. Our effort is to make it easy and convenient for people to donate old clothes and ensure their maximum utilisation, thereby further strengthening efforts to make Delhi cleaner, more beautiful and greener,” she said.