At Rs 52K cr, Mumbai civic body BMC steps up Budget estimate by 15% from last year

Budget estimates this time are 14.52 per cent more than the 2022-23 amount

Ahead of the much-awaited local bodies polls of Maharashtra which would be a sort of litmus test for the ruling Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis government and Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, the Mumbai civic body on Saturday presented a Rs 50,000-crore plus Budget -- the biggest so far in its 134-year history.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is the richest civic body in India.

The Budget Estimates for the financial year 2023-24 are proposed to be Rs 52,619.07 crore which exceeds the Budget Estimates for 2022-23, which was Rs 45,949.21 crore, reflecting an increase of 14.52 per cent.

In 2021-22, the Budget had a total outlay of Rs 39,083 crore.

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The Budget promises a ‘sustainable local economic development’ of Mumbai and achieves ‘net zero’ as far as the environment is concerned.

Rapid infrastructure development, health, education, cleanliness, urban greening and making monsoons trouble-free for Mumbaikars are among the key focus areas.

Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal, who is the Administrator, presided over the Budget presentation exercise.

It is for the first time since 1984-85 that the BMC is being run by an Administrator in the absence of an elected civic body. Thus in 38 years, there was not a Mayor or General Body or Standing Committee when the Budget for the financial year 2023-24 was tabled.

A total Budget Provision of Rs 2,650 crore is proposed in Revised Estimates 2022-23 and Rs 3,545 crore in Business Estimates 2023-24 for the Coastal Road Project, one of the ambitious infrastructure projects of Mumbai, which was undertaken by the local self-government.

Extensive focus has been given to ensure that flooding is avoided in Mumbai during the monsoon. Out of 386 identified chronic flooding spots in Mumbai, 306 have been tackled. Remedial works at 34 of the flooding spots are expected to be completed before the onset of monsoon 2023 and six post-monsoon.

The BMC proposed one lakh trees be planted through ecologically sustainable planting practices.

Under Ashray Yojana, a total Budget provision of Rs 735.12 crore is proposed in RE 2022-23 and Rs 1491.50 crore in BE 2023-24.

To beef up fire-fighting capabilities, a total Budget provision of Rs 227.07 crore is proposed in BE 2023-24.

A total budget provision of Rs 887.88 crore is proposed in RE 2022-23 and Rs 1376 crore in BE 2023-24 for the Water Supply Project.

A total budget provision of Rs 2021.06 crore is proposed in RE 2022-23 and Rs 3566.78 crore in BE 2023-24 for Mumbai Sewage Disposal Project Department.

A provision of Rs 800 crore is proposed for assisting the BEST Undertaking.

The BMC has planned to install air purifiers in five most crowded areas viz. Dahisar Toll Naka, Mulund Check Naka, Mankhurd, Kalanagar Junction and Haji Ali Junction.