Lucknow Municipal Corporation Unveils Comprehensive Annual Budget
The Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) presented its annual budget for the fiscal year, amounting to a substantial Rs 4,692.71 crore, during a meeting of the executive committee on Sunday. This financial blueprint outlines significant expenditures across key civic areas, including solid waste management, road infrastructure, street lighting, parks, and vending zones, with a notable absence of any proposals for tax increases.
Budget Overview and Financial Projections
For the 2026–27 period, the civic body has projected an income of Rs 3,293.35 crore against an expenditure of Rs 3,292.93 crore. Revenue income, estimated at Rs 2,278.35 crore, will primarily be sourced from property tax, water tax, advertisement fees, and various licenses. Conversely, expenditures totaling Rs 2,277.93 crore are earmarked for essential outlays such as salaries, pensions, road and drain maintenance, fuel costs, park upkeep, and cattle shelters.
Mayor Sushma Kharkwal emphasized that the budget was meticulously crafted to foster overall urban development, enhance sanitation standards, strengthen infrastructure, and boost revenue streams. She further announced that the subsequent year's budget presentation is scheduled to take place in the new municipal office building, reinforcing the commitment to administrative modernization.
Major Allocations and Strategic Initiatives
The budget incorporates an opening balance of Rs 1,399.36 crore, contributing to the total figure. Key allocations include Rs 981 crore under state and central schemes and Rs 34 crore designated for deposits. In a significant move, solid waste management has been allocated Rs 300 crore, specifically for door-to-door collection and efficient garbage disposal systems. Additionally, Rs 15 crore is set aside for drain cleaning in areas prone to waterlogging, addressing critical urban challenges.
Infrastructure development receives a robust focus, with Rs 271 crore allocated for road construction and repair works. A substantial Rs 405 crore is reserved to clear pending payments from earlier projects, while the allocation for executing agencies has been adjusted from Rs 130 crore in the revised budget to Rs 100 crore. Parks will benefit from Rs 42 crore for maintenance and Rs 6 crore for renovation efforts.
Enhanced Civic Amenities and Urban Projects
Street lighting initiatives are bolstered with Rs 16 crore for new installations, Rs 6 crore for repairs, and Rs 6.5 crore for equipment procurement. Building infrastructure sees Rs 5 crore for repairs and Rs 34 crore for new construction projects. The Ahana Enclave housing project is allocated Rs 40 crore, and infrastructure works worth Rs 180 crore are planned through dedicated infrastructure funds.
Model vending zones receive increased funding, with the allocation rising from Rs 10 crore to Rs 15 crore across all 110 wards. Authorities have been directed to identify suitable land for these zones by March 30, ensuring organized urban spaces.
Separate Budget for Water Department and Regulatory Measures
The Jalkal department presented an independent budget of Rs 487 crore, comprising Rs 366.93 crore from revenue sources and Rs 120.3 crore from capital sources. An allocation of Rs 13 crore is designated for relocating water pipelines during road construction activities. Strict actions have been ordered against illegal car service stations that misuse groundwater and encroach on public roads.
Revenue Generation and Community Development
Officials are instructed to identify vacant municipal land for development under public-private partnership models and for constructing community halls to generate additional revenue. Transparent collection of license fees from weekly markets and fairs is mandated, alongside crackdowns on unauthorized market operations.
Illegal hoardings are to be removed within a week, with efforts to recover pending dues. Priority is given to constructing boundary walls at cremation grounds. Educational and social infrastructure improvements include the upgradation of eight municipal schools, a proposed new school at Kanha Upvan, 40 Anganwadi centres, a modern library, and a digital library.
Incentives for Tax Compliance
To encourage timely payments, tax rebates have been announced for property tax and user charges. A 10% rebate is proposed for lump-sum payments of user charges, incentivizing civic responsibility among residents.
