Pune: PCMC Presents Rs 9,675.27 Crore Budget for 2025-26 with No Hike in Property or Water Tax; Focus on Development and Welfare

Reported By Tikam Shekhawat and Varad Bhatkhande
Pimpri, 20th February 2025: Against the backdrop of the upcoming potential local body elections, the administrators of Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) have presented the budget for the financial year 2025-26. Notably, there is no increase in property tax or water tax. The total announced budget is ₹9,675.27 crores, marking a rise of nearly ₹1,000 crores compared to last year’s budget of ₹8,676.80 crores. This budget includes schemes sponsored by both the Central Government and the Maharashtra State Government. Additionally, ₹5 crores remaining from last year’s budget have been carried forward.

“This budget reflects our commitment to making Pimpri Chinchwad an internationally recognized, sustainable, and progressive city. Our financial planning prioritizes infrastructure, economic growth, and an improved quality of life for our citizens.” – Shekhar Singh, Commissioner, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation

Key Features of the PCMC Budget:

– ₹1,962.72 crores allocated for developmental projects.
– ₹136.52 crores for the operation of eight ward offices, with the highest allocation of ₹30.22 crores to H Ward Office (covering Kasarwadi, Dapodi, Bopodi, and Phugewadi) and the lowest to B Ward Office (covering Chinchwad and surrounding areas).
– ₹753.56 crores for the implementation of special construction schemes.
– ₹1,898 crores for initiatives under the Basic Services to the Urban Poor (BSUP) program.
– ₹83 crores allocated under the Gender Budget, including special provisions for women.
– ₹62.09 crores designated for schemes benefiting persons with disabilities.
– ₹300 crores for water supply initiatives.
– ₹417 crores for Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) to enhance public transport, marking a significant increase from last year.
– ₹100 crores for land acquisition, the same as last year.
– ₹50 crores allocated for the Smart City initiative.
– ₹10 crores earmarked for encroachment removal management.

Since March 13, 2022, PCMC has been under administrative rule. Today, Chief Accounts and Finance Officer Praveen Jain presented the budget to Administrator Shekhar Singh, who promptly approved it. The budget presentation was attended by Additional Commissioners Pradeep Jambhale Patil, Vijay Kumar Khorate and other officials.

Expected Revenue Sources:

– ₹200 crores from Local Self-Government Tax (LBT).
– ₹2,582 crores as a subsidy under Goods and Services Tax (GST).
– ₹1,050 crores from Property Tax, the same as last year, though PCMC previously failed to achieve this target.
– ₹114 crores from interest on investments.
– ₹99 crores from water supply revenue.
– ₹700 crores from the building permit department.
– ₹412 crores in grants from the Central and State Governments.
– ₹1,031.77 crores from capital reserves.
– ₹474.62 crores from other departments.

Budget Expenditure Allocation:

– ₹1,150 crores for civil works.
– ₹100 crores for land acquisition.
– ₹139 crores for electrical works.
– ₹300 crores for water supply.
– ₹100 crores for drainage projects.
– ₹160 crores for environmental initiatives.
– ₹51.65 crores for backward class welfare schemes.
– ₹90.96 crores for sports development.
– ₹83.33 crores for women’s welfare schemes.

Infrastructure Development

PCMC plans to further enhance the city’s infrastructure. The City Centre project will continue this year, along with the redevelopment of Annasaheb Magar Stadium, the new PCMC administrative building, and DP roads. Additionally, 25 major squares, including Jagtap Dairy, Krushna Nagar, and Gharkul Chowks, will be revamped to ease traffic congestion. A total of 34 road projects, spanning over 48 km and worth ₹801.78 crores, are already underway or previously proposed. This year’s agenda also includes the Harit Setu initiative for sustainability and the Urban Street Scraping of the Old Mumbai-Pune Highway.

A Focus on the Environment

Pollution, particularly air and water pollution, remains a major issue in PCMC. While several projects have already been implemented to improve air quality, PCMC has proposed the rejuvenation of three rivers—Mula, Pawana, and Indrayani—flowing through its jurisdiction. Hundreds of crores have been allocated for these efforts, with work on the Mula River from Wakad to Sangvi already underway. Restoration work on the Indrayani River is also in progress, while work on the Pawana River is set to begin soon.

Education: A Step Towards the Future

School education remains a priority for PCMC, with several plans and schemes announced for its development. To enhance student safety and overall city security, new CCTV cameras will be installed. With the addition of both old and newly proposed cameras, the total count across the city will exceed 10,000, while schools will have 1,415 cameras to improve student security.

A new English-medium school with modern facilities and 24 classrooms is set to be built in Bhosari. Additionally, a CBSE board school will be established in Wakad, featuring 51 classrooms and an expenditure of ₹67 crores on a 15,097-square-meter plot.

However, despite these developments, PCMC still lacks plans to establish a junior college this year, reflecting a shortfall in recognizing that education extends beyond school.

Fun Activities: A Formula for a Better City?

This year, PCMC plans to focus more on developing gardens and parks to provide residents with enjoyable recreational spaces. Parks like Dinosaur Park, Rajmata Jijau Udyan, and others will be upgraded. Additionally, a new Waste to Wonder park is under construction in Pimple Saudagar.

With an emphasis on sports infrastructure, new stadiums are being planned, along with a rock-climbing facility in Pimple Saudagar and a badminton hall in Wakad. These developments aim to enhance the city’s recreational and sporting landscape.

Introduction of Climate Budgeting Framework

PCMC has rolled out a Climate Budgeting Framework, aligning itself with global cities like Oslo, London, and New York in integrating financial planning with climate resilience. Every rupee allocated in this budget is designed to curb carbon emissions and enhance adaptability to climate challenges. So far, 324 municipal officials from six different departments have received specialized training in climate budgeting.

Maharashtra’s First Municipal Green Bond Initiative

Continuing its efforts in innovative revenue generation, PCMC is set to launch Maharashtra’s first municipal green bond. This initiative follows the successful raising of ₹200 crore through municipal bonds in July 2023 for the Mula River Rejuvenation Project. The green bond will finance the Harit Setu Project, which focuses on the development of the Telco Road stretch from Gawali Matha Chowk to Indrayani Nagar Chowk.

Commissioner’s Perspective

Following the budget presentation, PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh shared his views with Punekar News, stating, “Our budget underscores our vision of transforming Pimpri Chinchwad into a globally recognized, sustainable, and forward-thinking city. We have structured our financial planning to emphasize infrastructure development, economic progress, and an enhanced quality of life for our residents.”

Conclusive Takeaway

While many promises have been made to improve the city, several crucial elements essential for elevating it to an international level are still being overlooked. No budget is perfect, and while PCMC aims to maximize available funds, many previously promised projects have yet to materialize. Citizens hope the civic body stays true to its commitments, as delivering on these promises will significantly enhance the city’s development.