After more than three years of administrative rule, the BMC on Wednesday unveiled its largest-ever budget of Rs 80,952.56 crore, marking the first time since the civic body lost elected representation that the financial plan has been formally placed before a standing committee. The budget addressed several topics that were promised by the BJP-Shiv Sena Mahayuti in its election manifesto presented in January this year.
BMC Headquarters in Fort. Pic/SATEJ SHINDE
The budget signals a clear pivot toward long-term infrastructure, digital governance and new revenue models, with projects targeting flooding, transport, hawker management and public services, while also introducing tech-driven tools such as an AI-based citizen assistance system to simplify civic processes. Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani said the focus remains on building durable assets while ensuring steady revenue streams to sustain projects over the coming years.
New sources of revenue
With a large commitment to infrastructure projects in the next few years, BMC budget has committed to the civic body exploring new sources of revenue.
Rs 400 to Rs 500 crore annually from Entertainment Tax, as the amendment to Maharashtra Entertainment Duty Act, the responsibility for collecting Entertainment Tax/Fees previously levied by State Government, has been entrusted to the Local Authorities.
Monetising revenue generating assets through Infrastructure Investment Trusts
(InvITs) for raising funds to undertake major capital projects. These assets include markets, public parking lots, and roads. BMC will raise funds from retail and institutional investors.
Municipal Green Bonds – BMC is planning to raise Municipal Green Bonds for financing its sustainable infrastructure such as waste water treatment and desalination plants.
Infrastructure focused budget
39 per cent or Rs 18,810.48 of BMC’s Rs 48164.28 crore Capital expenditure has been assigned to 4 big ticket infrastructure projects for Mumbai. These include the 7 Waste Water Treatment facilities, Coastal Road Project (North), Goregaon Mulund Link Road Project, ongoing concretisation of roads, and the Coastal Road Project (South). This highlights BMC’s shift towards strengthening long-term assets.
Overall, for the next few years, the civic body has a liability of Rs 2,13,145.84 crore towards priority infrastructure projects, along with Rs 31,406.81 crore for essential works across other civic departments. totalling Rs 2,44,552.65 crore.
Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani in a statement to the press on Wednesday evening said that the civic body’s aim is to generate revenue annually to sustain the needs of the infrastructure projects year on year. Reserve funds are utilised where necessary.
