Amid opposition claims of a financial crunch at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the Government of Maharashtra has stated that there is no immediate crisis and has assured that pending funds will be released in a phased manner.
Responding to a question raised in the Legislative Council by Sunil Shinde, Industry Minister Uday Samant said that around Rs 10,000 crore owed to the civic body will be disbursed in instalments. The discussion also included leaders Anil Parab, Jagannath Abhyankar, and Sachin Ahir.
Samant emphasised that infrastructure development in Mumbai is progressing rapidly, with projects worth approximately Rs 1,41,356 crore currently underway within the BMC’s jurisdiction. These include major initiatives such as the coastal road, bridge construction, road upgrades, river rejuvenation, improvements to the Mithi River, water purification projects, drainage strengthening, and water supply and sewage systems.
He further stated that the government would take a positive approach towards clearing additional dues, including funds linked to the education sector. An amount of Rs 86 crore pending under the Right to Education (RTE) will be released soon, while a total of Rs 10,931 crore owed by various departments will also be paid in stages.
Addressing concerns about the civic body’s financial health, Samant said efforts are being made to strengthen the BMC’s revenue base. As part of this strategy, certain municipal plots are being considered for long-term leasing to generate additional income.
Overall, the state government maintained that coordinated efforts between departments and the BMC are ongoing to ensure uninterrupted infrastructure development and service delivery across the city.
Source: Loksatta
