BMC Budget: Civic body cuts budget size by Rs 12,000 crore for 2017-18

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday announced the budget for the year 2017-18, whose size was cut down by a third, or nearly Rs 12,000 crore, compared to the current fiscal.

Meanwhile, a sum of Rs 1,000 crore was earmarked for the ambitious coastal road project.

The budget outlay of the BMC for 2017-18 was Rs 25,141 crore, significantly down from Rs 37,052 crore last year.

This was the first budget of the BMC after its new general body was elected in February. The February 21 election saw the Shiv Sena emerging as the single largest party and retaining its control on the country’s richest civic body.

This was municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta’s second BMC budget after he took charge in April 2015.

Highlights of BMC Budget 2017-18:

* No taxes have been hiked and no new taxes have been introduced for the next fiscal.

* Of the Rs 25141.51 crore budget, BMC earmarked Rs 8127.08 crore for capital expenditure that will fund infrastructure projects like roads, storm water drains and water supply.

* Department wise breakup of capital expenditure – Health: Rs. 555.77 crore, water supply and sewage: Rs 1611.16 crore, education: Rs 358.09 crore, improvement schemes: Rs 16 7.97 crore and slum improvement: Rs 199. 20 crore.

* The budget allocated Rs 1,000 crore for the coastal road to be built along Mumbai’s western sea front. The proposed 35.6 km arterial road will connect Nariman Point in South Mumbai to the city’s western suburb of Kandivali, easing vehicular movement.

* The allocation for the roads department, which was mired in allegations of irregularities in awarding contracts, stood at Rs 1,095 crore, far less compared to Rs 2,886 crore last year.

* Rs 130 crore was allocated towards construction of Goregaon-Mulund Link road, which will have a 4.7 km underground tunnel beneath Borivali national park.

* Rs 90.61 crore allocated for curbing TB cases in the city.

* Rs 74 crore towards improving various civic amenities like storm water drain network.

* Rs 70 crore for development of 20 gardens or recreational grounds.

* Rs 45 crore towards construction of 8 new swimming polls in the city.

* Rs 30 crore allocated for purchase of 400 ventilators in the next two years.

* Rs 25 crore allocated for curbing pollution in Mithi River and beautification work.

* Rs 16.15 crore towards ‘Aapli Chikitsa’, which will help provide cheaper treatment to needy patients.

* Rs 15.11 crore allocated for improving security at civic hospitals.

* Rs 1.5 crore allocated for installation of gyms at 34 fire stations and Rs 1 crore for two new proposed fire stations.