For the first time in over a decade, the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has spent over 88 per cent of the allotted budget for developmental activities/projects during FY 2021-21. The increase in the amount spent on capital expenditure has provided a much-needed push to development and infrastructure projects in the city, senior BMC officials said.
Despite the major challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, BMC spent Rs 9,676.97 crore on capital expenditure against the allotted budget of Rs 10,903.58 crore in fiscal 2020-21, i.e. 88.75 per cent of the total provisions. It is also the highest spent on infrastructure and development projects in the last 11 years.
"In the financial year 2020-21 up to March 31, the BMC administration, which collected the highest property tax in the history of the Mumbai municipal corporation, has now set a record of capital expenditure on various development projects in the city," said a senior BMC official.
In FY 2018-19, 69.67 per cent of the revised budget allocated on development projects was spent. In FY 2019-20, the expenditure increased to 87.70 per cent. The same has increased to 88.75 per cent this year.
Broadly, this amount has been spent mainly on the Coastal Road Project, Goregaon Mulund Link Road (GMLR), Sewerage Project, Development Plan Matters, Roads and Transportation, Water Supply, Health, Rainwater Drainage, Bridges and Solid Waste Management, amongst others.
The officials attributed the success to a monthly review of the progress of civic projects by BMC commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal.
"Due to the municipal commissioner's review of the major projects and teamwork of officials and workers, the pace of execution has got an impetus, despite hurdles due to the pandemic.The percentage of expenditure on development projects this year is the highest in the last 11 years and the increase in capital expenditure despite the challenge posed by the pandemic is definitely a positive and commendable thing," said Additional Municipal Commissioner (Project) P Velarasu.
Expenditure on development projects in the last 11 years:
1. FY 2010-11: 77.80 per cent
2. FY 2011-12: - 71.69 per cent
3. FY 2012-13: - 69.92 per cent
4. FY 2013-14: - 63.21 per cent
5. FY 2014-15: - 70.38 per cent
6. FY 2015-16: - 62.91 per cent
7. FY 2016-17: - 71.31 per cent
8 .FYr 2017-18: - 81.47 per cent
9. FY 2018-19: 69.67 per cent
10. FY 2019-20: - 87.70 per cent
11. FY 2020-21: 88.75 per cent
