Mumbai: Though Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) fiscal budget for the year 2018-19 will continue to concentrate more on ongoing projects, some new initiatives like debris processing plant, centre for autistic kids, cycling track along the water mains are likely to be introduced for the city.
The budget, which is scheduled to be presented on February 2, is likely to see an increase of Rs 1000-1200 crore, a slight rise of five to seven per cent than its current size. The budget had seen a drop of nearly Rs 12,000 crore last year, as its outlay was reduced to Rs 25,000 from the earlier Rs 37,000 crore.
According to civic officials, the BMC has decided not to undertake any new major project and has instead planned to concentrate on ongoing projects. The most important among them will be civic body’s ambitious coastal road project, which is expected to kick-start within few months. As against the earlier provision of Rs 1,000 crore, the coastal road is likely to get substantial provision of Rs 1,500-2,000 crore in the next budget.
Along with this, other projects like Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR), sewage treatment plants (STPs), underground parking lots, water supply projects and Deonar waste-to-energy plant are also likely to get priority. The closure of Mulund dumping ground may also be on the cards.
As far as new initiatives are concerned, the BMC is planning to set up a centre for autistic children in the city. In addition to this, Central Park at Cuffe Parade is also likely to get special mention in the budget. In a bid to prevent encroachments, the civic body has decided to set up a cycling track along the water pipelines in the city.
As the debris problem is growing due to large number redevelopment projects, the BMC is planning to set up a debris processing plant in eastern suburbs. The plant, which will be first of its kind, is likely to process 1,200 metric tonnes of debris every day.
