Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation Presents Ambitious ₹3,186 Crore Budget for 2026-27
In a significant development for urban planning, the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) unveiled a comprehensive budget of ₹3,186.60 crore for the financial year 2026–27 on Friday. Municipal Commissioner Abhinav Goel presented the budget during a general body meeting, projecting an opening balance of ₹572.76 crore. Notably, the budget maintains existing tax rates and civic charges, focusing instead on robust infrastructure expansion, enhanced civic amenities, and strategic revenue mobilization to support sustainable growth.
Financial Framework and Revenue Projections
The total expenditure is estimated at ₹3,186.49 crore, comprising ₹1,654.08 crore for revenue expenditure and ₹1,524.20 crore allocated to capital expenditure. The civic body anticipates ₹829.25 crore in capital receipts through various government schemes. On the revenue front, KDMC has set an ambitious property tax collection target of ₹600 crore for 2026–27, a substantial increase from the previous year's ₹500 crore goal.
Additional revenue streams include ₹510.03 crore from GST compensation and stamp duty grants, ₹526.30 crore under special levies, ₹101 crore from water charges, and ₹115.06 crore from government grants, including education support. Miscellaneous revenue is projected at ₹28.85 crore. The corporation also expects ₹241 crore from development proposals such as FSI premiums, ₹20–25 crore annually from smart parking and advertisements, and ₹48 crore from rental and advertisement income from municipal properties.
Infrastructure and Civic Amenities Expansion
The budget places strong emphasis on upgrading road and bridge infrastructure across the region. Key projects include the construction of U-type roads in Kalyan East, improvements along Malang Road, enhancements from Chetna School to Nevali Naka, and development works in Manda-Titwala and Thangewadi areas. To alleviate traffic congestion, a railway overbridge is proposed at Mohone, and an additional two-lane flyover is planned near Kopar to improve connectivity between Dombivli East and West.
Modernization of civic infrastructure is a priority, with plans for the redevelopment of Savitribai Phule Kalamandir. Cultural infrastructure projects include a community hall for Agri, Koli, Kunbi, and Warkari communities in Kalyan West, development of Dr Anandibai Joshi Garden at Barave, and construction of a stadium at Subhash Maidan.
Water Supply Overhaul Under AMRUT 3.0
A major focus area is the strengthening of water supply systems under the AMRUT 3.0 scheme. Plans involve constructing a 275 MLD water treatment plant to serve 27 villages and Dombivli West, along with new overhead tanks, pumping stations, and upgraded distribution networks. Reconstruction of the Patharli water tank and repairs to the Netivali water treatment plant are also proposed. The water supply network will be digitized using flow meters, SCADA systems, and digital twin software for real-time monitoring and efficient control.
Waste Management and Environmental Initiatives
The budget outlines several large-scale waste management and environmental projects. These include a 750 TPD waste-to-energy plant at Umbarde through MMRDA, a 200 TPD bio-CNG plant at Barave in collaboration with BPCL, and expansion of an existing bio-CNG facility from 35 TPD to 60 TPD. Other initiatives encompass a briquetting plant for horticulture waste, a construction and demolition waste processing unit at Manda, an incineration plant for disposal of dead animals, and a green waste processing unit.
To combat pollution, KDMC has proposed dust suppression projects, installation of dry mist fountains in Kalyan and Dombivli, outdoor air purification systems, and air purification units at crematoriums. Additionally, large-scale renovation and redevelopment of crematoriums are planned across jurisdictions, including Adharwadi, Lal Chowki, Bail Bazaar, Murbad Road, Vitthalwadi, Patharli, and Kolegaon, with new facilities proposed at Casario and Manere.
Health, Education, and Social Sector Initiatives
The civic body has announced multiple initiatives in the social sector. Municipal school students will receive Hepatitis-A vaccinations, and sanitary napkin vending machines will be installed in schools. Sports infrastructure, including tracks, long jump pits, and equipment, will be developed. Astronomy clubs with modern telescopes will be introduced in civic schools, and additional classrooms will be constructed where needed. A provision of ₹50 lakh has been allocated to improve facilities in balwadis.
Animal welfare measures include upgrading the sterilization centre for stray dogs at Bail Bazaar and establishing new sterilization and shelter facilities in Dombivli. Special social initiatives feature skill development programs for the transgender community and development of 10 model seating spaces for senior citizens.
Digital Governance and Technological Advancements
KDMC plans to adopt advanced technologies to enhance governance and service delivery. Key initiatives include implementation of HRMS, a WhatsApp chatbot for citizen services, network security audits, new networking infrastructure across wards, and a document management system. To improve tax collection efficiency, the corporation will undertake GIS and drone-based property surveys and strengthen online payment systems.
Funding Strategy and Municipal Bonds
To finance major infrastructure projects, KDMC intends to raise ₹200 crore through municipal bonds from the open market. Officials indicated that timely repayment could facilitate access to additional funding through urban challenge funds and green bonds, supporting long-term development goals.
Corporator Concerns and Future Steps
During the budget discussion, corporators expressed concerns over the lack of clarity on ward-level development funds and demanded that allocations be increased to ₹2 crore per corporator. The budget will now undergo detailed discussion in the general body meeting scheduled for March 24 and is expected to be approved after deliberations in the following days, marking a pivotal step in Kalyan-Dombivli's urban transformation journey.
