Pune Municipal Commissioner Rajendra Bhosale presented the 2025-26 annual budget on Tuesday, totaling ₹12,618.09 crore. The budget focuses heavily on improving road infrastructure and public transport, with a significant allocation for 33 major roads to enhance transportation. Notably, there will be no hike in municipal taxes, and ₹623 crore has been earmarked for the development of newly merged villages. While there are no new schemes introduced, the emphasis is on maintenance and upgrading the metro network.
The budget comprises ₹7,093 crore for revenue expenses and ₹5,524 crore for capital works. Last year's budget stood at ₹11,601 crore, out of which ₹6,500 crore (55%) has been collected so far, with a projected total collection of₹8,400 crore. Around 70% of the previous budget has been utilized.
No tax hike
This year, the civic chief did not propose any tax hike, marking nine years in a row without an increase. Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) last hiked property tax in 2016-17, and before that, in 2010-11. This year, it was a matter of curiosity whether the PMC chief decides to increase property tax. However, considering the upcoming civic polls, it was unlikely that property tax will rise. The neighbouring Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has not hiked taxes this year either.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has progressively increased its budget over the years, reflecting a growing focus on infrastructure and civic development. In FY 2020-21, the budget was Rs 6,229 crore, which rose to Rs 7,650 crore in 2021-22, and further to Rs 8,592 crore in 2022-23. For FY 2023-24, the budget increased by approximately Rs 923 crore to Rs 9,515 crore. In FY 2024-25, the budget crossed the Rs 10,000 crore mark for the first time, reaching Rs 11,601 crore, marking a significant financial expansion to support the city's infrastructure, healthcare, and other civic projects.
