Pune: Rs 15,669 Crore PMC Budget Focuses on Women’s Welfare, Bus Fare Subsidy and Infrastructure
Pune, 25th March 2026: In a series of citizen-centric announcements, the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) ₹15,669 crore budget for 2026–27 has proposed a 50 percent fare concession in PMPML buses for women and senior citizens, along with tax relief and welfare schemes aimed at women’s empowerment.
The budget was presented by Standing Committee Chairman Shrinath Bimale during the general body meeting on Tuesday.
Among the key highlights, women and citizens aged above 60 years will receive a 50 percent concession on PMPML bus ticket fares. The financial burden arising from the subsidy will be borne by the civic body. The scheme is expected to be implemented next month after the policy is finalised, on the lines of the state government’s concession in ST bus services.
In another major relief, residential properties up to 500 sq ft registered in the name of women will be eligible for a 50 percent property tax waiver. The budget also proposes the construction of 100 modern public toilets exclusively for women across the city, along with the introduction of “pink rooms” in schools for girl students.
The total budget outlay has been increased significantly from the ₹13,995 crore proposal earlier presented by Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram. Bimale enhanced the budget by ₹1,674 crore, taking the total to ₹15,669 crore by revising allocations and projecting higher revenues.
A substantial ₹7,687.85 crore has been earmarked for capital and development works. This includes ₹573.75 crore for water supply projects and ₹276.77 crore for sewage management. The civic body has also allocated ₹852.29 crore towards loan repayment. Special provisions have been made for sectors such as environment, education and healthcare.
Notably, ₹150 crore has been set aside for the urban poor scheme, which has been renamed the “Late Deputy Chief Minister Ajitdada Pawar Urban Poor Medical Assistance Scheme.”
Despite concerns over whether PMC’s revenue will cross ₹8,000 crore, the budget projects higher income through revised estimates and additional measures. The expansion has raised questions in some quarters about the feasibility of the revenue projections.
Speaking on the budget, Bimale said it has been designed keeping in mind the city’s development needs for the next five years. “The focus is on women’s empowerment, strengthening healthcare systems and introducing new citizen-centric schemes. At the same time, we have proposed measures to increase PMC’s revenue,” he said.
The budget also reflects political priorities, incorporating several ideas aligned with voter expectations ahead of the upcoming municipal elections.
Overall, the budget attempts to balance welfare measures with infrastructure spending while aiming to strengthen the civic body’s financial position and service delivery.
