The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) presented its budget for the financial year 2025-26 with an estimated outlay of ₹74,427.41 crore — a 14.19% increase from the previous year. For the third consecutive year, the budget was presented to an administrator and not to a standing committee.The term of corporators expired in March 2022 and the elections are due since then.The Budget primarily focussed on ongoing infrastructure projects, environmental initiatives, and cyber awareness programs for students while maintaining financial discipline by controlling revenue expenditure.
Capital expenditure and infrastructure focusThe capital expenditure for 2025-26 is estimated at ₹43,162 crore, a notable rise from the revised estimate of ₹37,332 crore in 2024-25.Major allocations includeRoads and traffic department: ₹5,100 crore
Mumbai Coastal Road Project: ₹5,807 crore (South leg: ₹1,507 crore, North leg: ₹4,300 crore)
Storm water drain department: ₹3,039 crore (Revenue: ₹839 crore, Capital: ₹2,200 crore)
Sewage operation department- ₹650 croreKey allocations for public services
Education: ₹3,544 crore (Revenue) + ₹411 crore (Capital)
Health: ₹5,207 crore (Revenue) + ₹2,172 crore (Capital)
Fire department: ₹261 crore
Disaster management: ₹309 crore
Garden department: ₹220 crore
BMC also plans to expand healthcare services by adding 250 Aapla Dawakhana clinics and three physiotherapy centers in the next financial year.Environmental and sustainability initiatives
Eco-friendly cremation: Five cemeteries to be converted to PNG-based crematoriums. Nine crematoriums to introduce eco-friendly cremation methods.
Idol immersion management: A special project is planned for 2025 to ensure proper disposal of residue from idol immersion in lakes.
PM Surya Ghar-Muft Bijli Yojana: BMC will implement the scheme on municipal properties with assistance from Mahavitaran.
Solid waste management: Proposed user charges for waste management are under legal review.
New cyber awareness program for studentsIn an interesting move, the BMC will launch a Cyber Literacy Project to educate students on Internet safety and fraud prevention.Revenue generation and financial discipline
New taxes: The BMC will start collecting taxes from commercial properties in slum areas.
Trade license fees: A proposal for increasing renewal fees is in progress.
Expenditure control: The municipal corporation aims to limit revenue spending within available financial provisions while prioritising capital expenditure on infrastructure.
No new major projects announcedThe Budget does not introduce any major new projects and priortise completing ongoing infrastructure developments such as the Coastal Road and GMLR.First Published: Feb 4, 2025 3:26 PM IST
