BMC Budget: Mumbai civic body unveils record Rs 74,427 crore budget for 2025-26; key announcements

In the first budget under Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, the BMC has set an estimate of Rs 74,427 crore

Mumbai's Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Tuesday presented its highest-ever budget for the fiscal year 2025-26. This is the third consecutive year the budget has been submitted to an administrator instead of a standing committee, as the civic body has been under administrator rule since the corporators' term ended on March 7, 2022.

In the first budget under Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, the BMC has set an estimate of Rs 74,427 crore, reflecting a 14.19% increase over the revised Rs 65,180 crore budget for 2024-25. The civic body has projected total revenue earnings of Rs 40,693 crore by March 31, 2025, with Rs 28,308 crore already earned as of December 2024.

Here are the highlights:

Mumbai schools upgrade

Rs 12 crore has been allocated for upgrading school furniture, including 24,170 desks and 39,178 benches to enhance the learning environment.

Tax on slum businesses

The BMC aims to assess around 50,000 commercial establishments in slums for property tax, expected to generate Rs 350 crore to improve services and infrastructure for slum dwellers.

Dahisar Check Naka Transportation & Commercial Hub

The proposed Dahisar Check Naka Transportation & Commercial Hub will include a star-category hotel, 456 bus parking spaces, 1,424 motor vehicle parking spaces, and 131 rooms.

The project will ease traffic congestion. It will also provide lodging for passengers, with funding sourced from project revenue, ensuring no financial burden on the BMC.

Expansion of gamified learning

The BMC will expand its gamified learning initiative in schools, increasing the number of students benefitting from 19,401 tablets to 32,659 students in Classes 8 and 9.

Support for BEST undertaking

Despite high funding requirements for its projects, the BMC has allocated Rs 1,000 crore as a grant to the BEST Undertaking, continuing financial support since 2012-13. The BMC received 2,703 budget suggestions from Mumbaikars this year which is a significant rise from 1,181 last year.

Worli plot auction for private development

To boost revenue, the BMC will auction plots based on 100% Annual Statement of Rates (ASR). A plot at the Asphalt Plant in Worli will be leased for private development.

Roads and traffic department

The BMC has allocated Rs 5,100 crore for road and traffic infrastructure improvements.

Environment initiatives

Rs 113 crore has been allocated by the Mumbai Civic body to the environment department to support various initiatives.

Expansion of free healthcare services

The BMC has established 250 Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray – Aapla Dawakhana clinics, including 33 polyclinics and diagnostic centres, offering free medical check-ups, medication, and blood tests. Since their launch, these facilities have benefited nearly 90 lakh patients. In the upcoming financial year, the civic body plans to open 25 more Aapla Dawakhana clinics and three physiotherapy centres to further expand healthcare access.

Desalination plant for water supply

The Mumbai civic body made a budget provision of Rs 100 crore for a 200 MLD Desalination Plant for augmentation of water supply.