Marking World Environment Day on June 5, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) unveiled its Mumbai Climate Action Plan (MCAP) for the fiscal year 2025-26, with a substantial budget allocation of Rs 17,066.12 crore. The ambitious plan is set to be implemented by the BMC’s Environment and Climate Change (E & CC) Department. However, concerns have been raised regarding the department’s capacity to execute the plan effectively due to severe staffing shortages.
Out of 41 sanctioned posts in the E & CC department, only a handful are currently filled. The department also lacks a dedicated office space, with plans for a full-fledged facility in Worli yet to materialise. Environment activist Zoru Bhathena criticised the situation, stating, “The dire state of the environment department reflects the BMC’s lack of seriousness in implementing its climate action plan. It appears more like a showpiece to align with national and international guidelines rather than a genuine effort.”
A senior BMC official acknowledged the staffing challenges, explaining that the department presently operates with just one Chief Engineer and four assistant engineers, supported by administrative personnel handling multiple responsibilities. Recruitment has been delayed due to reservation policies, and existing staff are reportedly overstretched. Furthermore, assistant engineers reportedly prefer postings in other departments such as roads, bridges, and building proposals. Since November 2017, the department has seen 15 Deputy Municipal Commissioners, many of whom held additional charges.
Upgraded to include climate change in March 2024, the E & CC department’s expansion added 41 new positions, including engineers and architects. Despite this, environmental activists remain sceptical. Debi Goenka remarked that the climate budget appears aimed more at attracting funds than delivering results, pointing out contradictions such as simultaneous plans to increase green cover while thousands of trees are felled.
The MCAP budget comprises Rs 16,321.33 crore in capital expenditure by the BMC, Rs 744.99 crore from BEST, and Rs 3,268.97 crore in revenue expenditure, marking a Rs 7,000 crore increase from the previous year. The BMC claims to have achieved 86% progress on its FY 2024-26 climate targets, completing 739 climate-related projects last year.
Source: The Free Press Journal
