Lucknow Passes Rs 43 Billion Budget with Focus on Cleanliness
WATER & WASTE

Lucknow Passes Rs 43 Billion Budget with Focus on Cleanliness

The Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) approved a Rs 43.04 billion budget for FY 2025–26, placing top priority on sanitation, waste management, civic amenities, and digital governance. Despite protests and repeated adjournments, the budget was passed with majority support in the House.

Sanitation and waste management received the lion’s share of the allocation. The estimated expenditure stands at Rs 33.07 billion, offering enough headroom for further development initiatives.

Mayor Sushma Kharakwal and municipal commissioner Inderjit Singh announced a voluntary cut in their discretionary funds. Meanwhile, the ward-wise fund for corporators was increased from Rs 15 million to Rs 21 million (inclusive of GST), aimed at expediting infrastructure works at the grassroots level.

Each ward will receive Rs 15 million for road repairs, Rs 1 million each for patchwork, culvert repair, and street lighting, Rs 500,000 for fogging and pesticide spraying, Rs 500,000 for handcart purchases, Rs 1 million for e-rickshaws and funeral refrigerators, and Rs 1 million for park maintenance.

Protest over Process The budget session was disrupted by dramatic scenes. BJP corporator Mukesh Singh Monty tore a copy of the budget, alleging that the Mayor bypassed the executive committee. “This resolution is fake and illegal,” he shouted while holding a picture of Dr BR Ambedkar. Congress corporators joined in, staging a sit-in inside the well of the House.

In response, Mayor Kharakwal condemned the act, calling the budget a collective decision. She said she would escalate the issue to BJP leadership and demanded an apology. The House was adjourned twice but ultimately passed the budget.

Waste Management Overhaul The sanitation sector, receiving the highest allocation, is set for a revamp. The LMC plans to float a new tender after terminating its contract with a private waste agency for non-compliance and sub-letting work. The new plan includes improving door-to-door collection, solid waste segregation, and upgrading waste transfer stations.

To ensure better revenue, LMC is also considering linking user charges for waste collection with house tax.

BJP corporator Prithvi Gupta raised concerns over poor garbage lifting in his ward, prompting the Mayor to demand answers from the zonal in-charge.

Boost for Parks, Schools, and E-Governance Urban development has received a boost. The e-governance allocation was doubled from Rs 20 million to Rs 40 million to promote digital service delivery. Cremation grounds got a tenfold increase—from Rs 1 million to Rs 10 million. Parks will receive Rs 60 million, up from Rs 20 million, and civic schools will benefit from Rs 50 million in funding, a fivefold rise.

Separate Budget for Jalkal Department The Jalkal department, which manages water supply and sewerage, will operate with a separate Rs 4.07 billion budget. Officials project a surplus of Rs 14.9 million, thanks to improved online billing and controlled expenses.

Out of the total, Rs 2.53 billion is earmarked for operations, salaries, and chemicals used in water treatment. The remaining Rs 1.52 billion will be spent on capital works and energy bills.

Despite overall support, corporators like BJP’s Sushil Kumar Tiwari ‘Pammi’ voiced concerns about unfair fund distribution. Mayor Kharakwal acknowledged the civic body’s Rs 5.5 billion liability and underscored the need for financial discipline.

The Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) approved a Rs 43.04 billion budget for FY 2025–26, placing top priority on sanitation, waste management, civic amenities, and digital governance. Despite protests and repeated adjournments, the budget was passed with majority support in the House. Sanitation and waste management received the lion’s share of the allocation. The estimated expenditure stands at Rs 33.07 billion, offering enough headroom for further development initiatives. Mayor Sushma Kharakwal and municipal commissioner Inderjit Singh announced a voluntary cut in their discretionary funds. Meanwhile, the ward-wise fund for corporators was increased from Rs 15 million to Rs 21 million (inclusive of GST), aimed at expediting infrastructure works at the grassroots level. Each ward will receive Rs 15 million for road repairs, Rs 1 million each for patchwork, culvert repair, and street lighting, Rs 500,000 for fogging and pesticide spraying, Rs 500,000 for handcart purchases, Rs 1 million for e-rickshaws and funeral refrigerators, and Rs 1 million for park maintenance. Protest over Process The budget session was disrupted by dramatic scenes. BJP corporator Mukesh Singh Monty tore a copy of the budget, alleging that the Mayor bypassed the executive committee. “This resolution is fake and illegal,” he shouted while holding a picture of Dr BR Ambedkar. Congress corporators joined in, staging a sit-in inside the well of the House. In response, Mayor Kharakwal condemned the act, calling the budget a collective decision. She said she would escalate the issue to BJP leadership and demanded an apology. The House was adjourned twice but ultimately passed the budget. Waste Management Overhaul The sanitation sector, receiving the highest allocation, is set for a revamp. The LMC plans to float a new tender after terminating its contract with a private waste agency for non-compliance and sub-letting work. The new plan includes improving door-to-door collection, solid waste segregation, and upgrading waste transfer stations. To ensure better revenue, LMC is also considering linking user charges for waste collection with house tax. BJP corporator Prithvi Gupta raised concerns over poor garbage lifting in his ward, prompting the Mayor to demand answers from the zonal in-charge. Boost for Parks, Schools, and E-Governance Urban development has received a boost. The e-governance allocation was doubled from Rs 20 million to Rs 40 million to promote digital service delivery. Cremation grounds got a tenfold increase—from Rs 1 million to Rs 10 million. Parks will receive Rs 60 million, up from Rs 20 million, and civic schools will benefit from Rs 50 million in funding, a fivefold rise. Separate Budget for Jalkal Department The Jalkal department, which manages water supply and sewerage, will operate with a separate Rs 4.07 billion budget. Officials project a surplus of Rs 14.9 million, thanks to improved online billing and controlled expenses. Out of the total, Rs 2.53 billion is earmarked for operations, salaries, and chemicals used in water treatment. The remaining Rs 1.52 billion will be spent on capital works and energy bills. Despite overall support, corporators like BJP’s Sushil Kumar Tiwari ‘Pammi’ voiced concerns about unfair fund distribution. Mayor Kharakwal acknowledged the civic body’s Rs 5.5 billion liability and underscored the need for financial discipline.

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

South West Pinnacle Wins Rs 30 Cr Oman Mining Contract

South West Pinnacle Exploration Ltd has secured a Rs 30 crore contract from Minerals Development Oman (MDO) for mining exploration in concession areas 12B and 13.The two-year project will be carried out via Alara Resources LLC, a JV in Oman. MDO, backed by Oman’s investment authorities, focuses on monetising mineral wealth.The contract covers copper, gold, and chromite and highlights South West Pinnacle’s growing footprint in international exploration and mining services. ..

Next Story
Equipment

Godrej GEG Boosts Intralogistics with AI and Green Tech

Godrej Enterprises Group (GEG) is revolutionising warehouse and factory logistics through its Material Handling Equipment and Storage Solutions arms by integrating AI, IoT, and automation.With 20–25% market share and 85% local sourcing, GEG champions Atmanirbhar Bharat and sustainability. The Chennai plant, a green manufacturing leader, uses RoHS-compliant materials and has slashed energy consumption by 60%.GEG serves e-commerce, FMCG, retail, and cold chains with high-performance racking and electric forklifts. Upcoming IoT-enabled forklifts and telematics solutions aim to improve speed, sa..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Amit Shah Inaugurates Key Projects Across Gujarat

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various projects in Gujarat’s Panchmahal district and Ahmedabad.In Godhra, he inaugurated the Center of Excellence building, sports complex, reservoir, and Miyawaki plantation. In Ahmedabad, he unveiled a new cooperative complex in Adaroda village and a primary school in Juwal.These projects, under the Model Co-op Village scheme, aim to boost education, sustainability, and rural development across the state. ..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?