Mumbai, February 25 (NationPress) - On Wednesday, Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani unveiled the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) budget for the fiscal year 2026-27, proposing an impressive total outlay of Rs 80,952.56 crore. This budget emphasizes a strong focus on infrastructure enhancement and technological progress.

The proposed budget reflects an increase of 8.77 percent compared to the last fiscal year’s budget of Rs 74,427.41 crore.

This budget signifies a strategic pivot towards long-term asset creation, with Capital Expenditure now comprising 60 percent of the total expenditure, while Revenue Expenditure has been adjusted to 40 percent.

Gagrani described this budget as a “Strategic Framework” designed to harmonize fiscal responsibility with a vision for a modern and inclusive Mumbai.

The anticipated revenue income is estimated at Rs 51,510.94 crore, marking a 19.35 percent increase from last year’s estimates. The property tax is projected to reach Rs 7,000 crore, with the latest Capital Values based on the Stamp Duty Ready Reckoner and development fees expected to contribute Rs 12,050 crore to the municipal treasury.

Infrastructure development is at the heart of this budget, with numerous prestigious projects receiving substantial funding.

A total of Rs 4,700 crore has been allocated for the Versova-to-Dahisar stretch, including its final section (Mumbai Coastal Road North). Additionally, Rs 2,650 crore has been designated for the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR).

This project, which features a twin tunnel beneath the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, aims to cut down travel time between suburbs from 90 minutes to just 20 minutes.

For sewage disposal, Rs 5,690 crore has been earmarked for seven treatment facilities, while Rs 5,520.48 crore is set aside for the initial and second phases of the city's major road concretization project.

In the realms of health and education, BMC is advancing with significant hospital redevelopment projects, including Sion Hospital (Phases I & II), M.T. Agarwal Hospital, and a new multi-specialty hospital in Bhandup.

Building on the success of screening 3 lakh citizens for cancer since 2025, this initiative will receive further enhancements.

The budget also confirms that India’s Census 2027 will be fully digital, with population enumeration planned for February 2027.

Regarding green initiatives and urban management, BMC has allocated Rs 159.82 crore for air pollution control, which includes the deployment of misting machines and road washing to enhance air quality.

The Deonar Waste-to-Energy plant, designed to produce 7 MW of electricity, is anticipated to be operational by June 2026. Furthermore, a world-class public garden spanning 53 hectares is under development on reclaimed land from the Coastal Road project.

BMC is also concentrating on technological advancements to enhance administrative efficiency. Artificial Intelligence will be utilized to assess development trends and refine urban planning.

New facilities will soon allow property tax and water charge payments via QR codes, WhatsApp links, and PoS machines at Citizen Facility Centres (CFCs). The core enterprise system is transitioning to 'RISE with SAP - Private Cloud Edition' for improved security and real-time decision-making.

For social and business facilitation, BMC has allocated Rs 1,000 crore as a grant to aid the BrihanMumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking, despite its own significant capital commitments.

Through an online lottery system, BMC is offering 426 tenements to EWS and LIG categories, marking a first for the corporation.

Event permissions have been streamlined through a single-window clearance, and 18 pre-approved film shooting locations have been identified.