BMC Budget 2024: Five takeaways in the budget that can impact Mumbaikars

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has revealed its comprehensive budget for the financial year 202425 amounting to a substantial Rs 59954 crore The BMC budget 2024 presentation was led by the Municipal Commissioner and IAS officer Iqbal Singh Chahal emphasising key areas such as womens empowerment healthcare basic amenities cleanliness and pollution controlThe five things in the budget that are likely to impact Mumbaikars are explained below1 Educational initiativesBudget overview The BMCs commitment to education is reflected in its budget allocation for the fiscal year 202425 With a total plan outlay of Rs 349782 crore the budget focuses on providing quality education in primary and secondary schools The budget places a significant emphasis on education indicating potential improvements in the quality of education across primary and secondary schoolsInfrastructure enhancement Significant investments are directed towards the repair upgradation and reconstruction of 479 school buildings with a budget provision of Rs 26677 crore Additionally the allocation of Rs 7 crore for primary schools and Rs 2 crore for secondary schools is designated for the upgradation of 224 computer labsWelfare schemes amp projects The BMC continues its support for educational welfare schemes including the free distribution of scholastic materials Rs 130 crore for primary and Rs 32 crore for secondary schools maintenance of water purifiers Rs 154 crore and attendance allowance for girls Rs 753 crore for primary and Rs 42 lakh for secondary schoolsNew projects and schemes The BMC introduces new initiatives for the upcoming fiscal year such as the pilot initiative for organic farming in collaboration with the District Planning Committee provision of Modern School Dictionaries with an allocation of Rs 352 crore establishment of open gymnasiums in 200 schools and financial assistance schemes for meritorious studentsGrants from state government The budget includes provisions for grants from the state government expecting Rs 50673 crore for primary education and Rs 20337 crore for secondary education2 Revamping estate department Proposals for revenue generationThe budget suggests reforms in the Estate Department of BMC indicating changes in the management and utilisation of propertiesThe BMC is set to implement significant reforms in its Estate Department to optimise revenue from leasehold and tenanted properties As part of this initiative the BMC has proposed to engage the services of a globally recognized Real Estate Consultant with expertise in the field The consultants role will be to provide guidance and implement a strategic roadmap to generate an annual revenue of Rs 10000 crore from BMCs leasehold and tenanted propertiesAdditionally the BMC plans to invite bids on a wardwise and zonewise basis for the development of Municipal Tenanted Properties This approach involves the redevelopment of clusters of buildings and plots within the same ward The redevelopment process may include proposing the rehabilitation or sale of entire clusters with the possibility of one or more plots becoming vacantTo explore the financial potential of the vacated plots BMC intends to consider various options including the auctioning of these plotsIN PHOTOS BMC presents Rs 59954 crore Budget 2024 for Mumbai3 Ease of travel Integrated transportationInfrastructure projects like the Coastal Road and DahisarBhayander Link Road aim to enhance connectivity potentially impacting the ease of travel for MumbaikarsThe BMC is gearing up for a transformative project that envisions the development of an integrated transportation and commercial hub at the Octroi Naka sites in Dahisar and Mankhurd under its jurisdiction The primary objective of this proposal is to establish a comprehensive bus terminus that seamlessly integrates with various transportation modes within the city including BEST buses Metro services and paratransit systemsThe aim is to redirect intercity and interstate buses to terminate at the citys entry points specifically Dahisar and Mankhurd to alleviate traffic congestion in Mumbai To substantiate this initiative a thorough traffic survey has been conducted at all five toll nakas to determine the daily influx and outflux of buses entering Mumbai BMC commissioner said in his budget speechThe BMC has decided to selffinance these projects In addition to the transportation hub the proposal includes plans to maximize the plots potential by incorporating compatible developments such as commercial and office spaces retail outlets a transit hotel convention centre exhibition centre among others4 Enhanced healthcare servicesThe substantial allocation for healthcare initiatives including hospital infrastructure development indicates a focus on improving healthcare facilities for residentsThe commissioner in his budget speech said that the BMC is committed to providing healthcare services to all patients at discounted ratesHowever recognizing the need for improvement he said the BMC acknowledges that patients currently have to purchase nonscheduled medicines as well as modern forms of medicines and implants from external sourcesThe BMC is set to implement the Chief Ministerrsquos Zero Prescription Policy Several study groups have been established to facilitate this policy and they have collectively decided to incorporate all necessary medicines into the official medicine schedule This initiative aims to make essential medicines available directly from the hospital while excluding nonessential onesFurthermore as part of this comprehensive healthcare strategy the BMC will circulate a rate circular for items procured through Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana Ayushyaman Bharat Arogya Yojana and the Poor Box Charity Fund PBCF The proposed budget for the fiscal year 202425 includes a provision of Rs 500 crore to support and enhance these healthcare initiatives5 Comprehensive information technology initiativesIn the upcoming fiscal year 202425 the BMCis gearing up to implement a range of Information Technology initiatives aimed at maximizing benefits in resource allocation public services sustainability datadriven governance safety mobility solutions and overall quality of lifeThe key initiatives includeImplementation of opensource softwareBMC plans to incorporate opensource software to enhance its operational efficiency and streamline processesUpyog platform for municipal service deliveryThe introduction of the Upyog Platform is set to elevate municipal service delivery ensuring more efficient and accessible services for the publicSAP S4 HANA system and support servicesBMC aims to implement the SAP S4 HANA System to bolster its system capabilities and provide robust support servicesGeographical Information System GIS using satellite imagesLeveraging satellite images BMC is set to implement a Geographical Information System to enhance spatial data managementAI initiativesBMC is venturing into Artificial Intelligence AI initiatives such as Video Analytics AI Coaching and Chatbots to contribute to the development of a smarter MumbaiAadhaar services and Digi locker integrationIntegration of Aadhaar Services and Digilocker is on the agenda to streamline identification processes and improve document managementAdoption of information systems by the Government of IndiaBMC plans to adopt information systems made available by the Government of India to align with nationallevel initiativesMyBMC building IDIntroducing the MyBMC Building ID project BMC aims to integrate additional information from various departments offering buildingrelated information through a single click This feature will be accessible to both BMC employees and citizensInternet of Things IoT implementationBMC is exploring the implementation of Internet of Things IoT for various civic services including Smart Bins Manholes Monitoring Smart Lights and Water Meter This move is anticipated to enhance citizen services and contribute to the development of a smarter and more connected city