IMC budget to focus on new villages and 'swachhta'

A major portion of this year's municipal budget will go into the development of the 29 villages newly included within municipal limits and the preservation of environment and cleanliness.

A major portion of this year's municipal budget will go into the development of the 29 villages newly included within municipal limits and the preservation of environment and cleanliness.

According to official sources at IMC, the corporation is planning to spend as much as R625 crore from this year's budget allocation to bring these villages at par with other parts of the city, by focusing on ensuring basic amenities like water supply, sanitation and roads.

The corporation has announced that it will table the budget on July 16, discussions on which will take place at Gandhi Hall, a day later.

Apart from this, following PM Narendra Modi's 'Swachh Bharat' mantra, the corporation has also diverted its attention towards preserving the environment and ensuring sanitation and cleanliness. According to sources, the corporation is going to spend R250 crore on cleanliness and maintaining the environment this fiscal.

"City mayor Malini Gaud's pet project 'Haryali Mahotsav' to improve green cover in the city will also get a share in the budget allocation," said an IMC official. The overall size of the budget will be between Rs2,000-2,100 crore, he added on condition of anonymity.

Given the pitiful conditions of roads in the city, the mayor-in-council have decided to spend at least Rs250 crore on roads.

The city's sewerage system may also get a facelift with a budget allocation of about R225 crore. With an estimated investment of R200 crore, new drinking water lines will be laid in colonies that are devoid of water supply from the Narmada.

Taxation, however, will remain untouched this time.