BMC Allocates 10% of Rs 74,427 Crore Budget for Health Services and Hospital Redevelopment

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announced plans to allocate 10% of its Rs 74,427.41 crore budget for health services in Mumbai. This budget, the largest ever for the financial year 2025-26, does not include any tax increases. BMC chief Bhushan Gagrani stated that civic hospitals will be redeveloped, adding 3,515 beds, including 970 specialty and super-specialty beds and 153 ICU beds over the next two years.

Currently, Mumbai's government hospitals have approximately 15,000 beds, while private hospitals offer around 31,000 beds. Given Mumbai's population of two crore, more hospital beds are needed to meet standards. The city has 250 operational Aapla Dawakhana clinics, which have treated 90 lakh patients. The budget proposes establishing 25 new clinics and three physiotherapy centres next year.

Infrastructure and Environmental Initiatives

The BMC plans to purchase 100 battery-operated suction machines to reduce air pollution from dust particles. Additionally, they will provide 611 tonnes of shadu clay for Ganesh idol makers next year. The civic body also intends to plant 4,416 trees on 17 plots, focusing on rare and indigenous species.

Fashion Street in south Mumbai is set for redevelopment. Plans include developing a zoo at Byculla Zoo on a 10-acre plot to exhibit non-native animals like zebras and giraffes. Tenders have been invited for this project, with work expected to commence this year.

Education and Financial Aspects

The BMC's four existing CBSE schools have been well-received, prompting plans to open four more in the coming year. Meanwhile, the BMC's fixed deposits decreased slightly to Rs 81,774 crore from Rs 84,824 crore. Liabilities related to infrastructure projects rose to Rs 2.32 lakh crore from Rs 1.99 lakh crore.

Gagrani clarified that the dip in fixed deposits doesn't reflect the BMC's financial health. The focus remains on public works and infrastructure upgrades without defaulting on salaries or pensions. This marks the second consecutive year where capital expenditure has surpassed revenue expenditure in the civic budget.

Commercial Use of Slum Areas

Mumbai has about 2.5 lakh slums, with around 20% used for commercial purposes like shops and industries. The BMC aims to assess property tax on these commercial units to enhance services and infrastructure for slum dwellers.

The BMC has requested the state government to classify its projects as vital urban transport initiatives. Gagrani explained that a cess through stamp duty is collected by BMC for infrastructure projects but is shared with various agencies. The BMC seeks a 50% share of this fund by having its projects declared as vital urban infrastructure initiatives.

The budget also mentioned a "Mumbai Eye" project similar to the London Eye but noted that a suitable location is yet to be found.