The ruling Mahayuti alliance on Sunday, 11 January 2026, presented its vision for Mumbai's future, releasing a comprehensive manifesto for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. The document, unveiled in Bandra east, promises significant financial relief, massive housing projects, and enhanced public welfare, aiming to directly impact the daily lives of millions of Mumbaikars.
Core Promises: Relief, Housing, and Transport
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde stated that the manifesto was crafted after incorporating suggestions from nearly two lakh residents, ensuring it reflects the city's real needs. He emphasized the alliance's goal to secure the civic body in the January 15 polls and accelerate development while preserving Marathi culture.
A major highlight is a five-year moratorium on any increase in water tax. The alliance has also committed to completing critical water supply projects like Gargai, Pinjal, and Damanganga within the next five years. On the environmental front, a substantial Rs 17,000 crore has been earmarked for conservation initiatives.
Addressing the city's chronic housing shortage, the Mahayuti pledges to work towards a slum-free Mumbai by constructing between 20 to 35 lakh new homes. It promises to fast-track redevelopment projects across the city. Specifically for Dharavi, the plan includes providing homes of up to 350 sq ft within the locality itself as part of its redevelopment. The manifesto also aims to implement policies for a rent-free, pagdi-mukt Mumbai and resolve funnel zone issues.
Women's Welfare and Urban Mobility
Transport and women's empowerment form a key pillar of the manifesto. For the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking, the alliance promises a complete transition to an all-electric bus fleet by 2029 and plans to double the current fleet from 5,000 to 10,000 buses. In a significant move, it offers a 50 per cent fare concession for women commuters on BEST buses.
To boost financial independence, the manifesto announces interest-free loans of up to Rs 5 lakh for women to encourage self-employment and small enterprise ventures.
Boosting Infrastructure, Economy, and Culture
The vision extends to modernizing city markets and fostering economic growth. Promises include establishing cold storage facilities for fish vendors in BMC markets, renovating vegetable markets, and setting up dedicated fish import and export centres. To nurture innovation, the alliance plans to launch a startup incubation centre and frame a new development plan for the city looking ahead to 2034.
On the cultural front, the manifesto outlines several initiatives to promote Marathi language and arts. These involve creating a separate Marathi language department within the BMC, establishing Marathi art centres and libraries, and organizing special programmes for Marathi youth to mark the birth centenary of Balasaheb Thackeray. It also proposes redeveloping theatres on the lines of Ravindra Natya Mandir, with a provision for three new theatres if needed.
Other notable pledges include forming a dedicated tourism department, building a world-class museum at Hutatma Chowk, and initiating a drive to make Mumbai free of illegal Rohingya and Bangladeshi immigrants. The manifesto launch was attended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, who collectively endorsed this roadmap for Mumbai's transformation.
