The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) on Monday presented a Rs 6,221-crore budget for the financial year 2026–27, emphasising revenue growth without imposing additional taxes, while prioritising infrastructure upgrades, traffic management and improved water supply.
Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao outlined the financial plan, which includes a revenue expenditure of Rs 3,818.17 crore and a capital outlay of Rs 2,401.55 crore, leaving a closing balance of Rs 1.40 crore. The latest budget marks an increase of around Rs 576.02 crore compared to the Rs 5,645 crore allocation in FY 2025–26.
Rao described the budget as cost-effective, highlighting that several new projects will be executed through a public-private partnership (PPP) model to minimise pressure on civic finances. The blueprint focuses on boosting revenue streams, maintaining fiscal discipline, enhancing sustainability, upgrading transport infrastructure, improving municipal schools and rolling out welfare schemes for women, senior citizens and persons with disabilities, along with tree conservation efforts.
A major thrust has been placed on easing traffic congestion across Thane. Planned projects include extending the Eastern Freeway into the city, constructing the Anand Nagar–Saket elevated road, developing internal and main metro corridors, building the Thane–Borivali tunnel and advancing coastal road connectivity. Rao also stressed the importance of maintaining pothole-free roads during the upcoming monsoon.
On the revenue front, TMC aims to collect Rs 1,200 crore in property tax this year, up from Rs 920 crore previously. Measures such as drone surveys to identify unassessed properties and a digitised tax system are being implemented, with invoices set to be delivered to registered taxpayers via mobile phones from April 1.
Addressing water concerns, Rao noted that the city currently receives 590 MLD against a demand of 621 MLD, with nearly 40% lost to leakage or theft. An additional 50 MLD supply from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is expected to ease the gap.
The civic body also plans to boost non-ticket revenue from transport assets, monetise land parcels for advertising, raise funds through municipal bonds, and secure a Rs 500-crore central government loan to support drainage, road and infrastructure projects, alongside sewage network upgrades and water treatment initiatives.
Source: Hindustan Times
