BMC Unveils Rs 39.3845 bn Budget for Water and Sewage
Works currently under execution total Rs 5.82 bn, covering the installation of thirty-six overhead tanks, four filtration plants and a 600-km pipeline network to strengthen distribution. A further Rs 10.5 bn has been allocated to expand the sewage network so it covers seventy per cent of the city and raises treatment capacity to eighty per cent. The plan includes replacing bulk connections with individual tap connections in 829 colonies to improve service delivery.
Environmental and lake conservation receive targeted funding with Rs 149 million (mn) for Upper Lake beautification and Rs 70 mn for Lower Lake redevelopment under a state infrastructure scheme. The budget also provides Rs 340 mn for Kaliasot River conservation and Rs 90 mn for Shahpura Lake, including specialised immersion ponds to prevent festival pollution and protect aquatic ecosystems. These measures are designed to curb encroachment and reduce contamination.
Social housing and city services feature allocations for construction and welfare, including the construction of 1,856 homes under a national housing scheme at an estimated cost of Rs 4 bn and incentives such as Rs 15,000 for meritorious children of municipal employees. Traffic reforms and commerce restructuring include relocation of major markets and a new commercial hub, with Rs 69 mn earmarked to eliminate black spots, Rs 300 mn for road maintenance and Rs 300 mn for street lighting. Cultural events and cleanliness drives receive Rs 30 mn for a lake festival and Rs 840 mn for sanitation to pursue national ranking ambitions.