Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) on Friday presented a ₹6,202.99 crore surplus budget for the financial year 2026-27, focusing on comprehensive urban development without imposing any additional taxes on citizens. The budget was presented by Standing Committee Chairperson Shivani Dani-Vakhare before Mayor Nita Thakre in the civic body’s General House.

Mayor Nita Thakre described the budget as an “inclusive and citizen-centric budget that will accelerate all-round development while providing relief to the common man.”

No Tax Hike, Surplus Budget

According to Dani-Vakhare, NMC expects revenue of ₹5,690.37 crore during 2026-27. Including an opening balance of ₹512.61 crore, the corporation’s total receipts are projected at ₹6,202.99 crore. The expenditure has been estimated at ₹6,202.48 crore, leaving a closing surplus of approximately ₹50.18 lakh.

The budget aims to boost municipal revenues through increased grants from the Centre and State governments and by creating new revenue streams without increasing the tax burden on Nagpur residents.

₹200 Crore to Clean Nag River

One of the major announcements is the plan to raise ₹200 crore through municipal bonds for making the Nag River pollution-free. The civic body also announced a series of innovative initiatives, including:

• Mayor Maher Scheme
• Smart Ward initiative
• Savji Food Festival
• Marbat Festival promotion
• Labour rest centres (‘Thiyya’)
• Development of parks and playgrounds

Development Fund for Corporators Increased to ₹25 Lakh

Every corporator will now receive ₹25 lakh as ward development funds for public utility projects. Additionally, ₹41.38 crore has been allocated for pending and legally approved projects from previous financial years.

Equestrian Statues of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

NMC has allocated ₹50 lakh for installing equestrian statues of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the Municipal Headquarters and Shivaji Maharaj Square in Vardhaman Nagar.

Sports Infrastructure Gets Major Boost

Following suggestions by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, NMC has set a target of developing 200 playgrounds, with 75 playgrounds planned during the Amrit Mahotsav year.

The budget earmarks ₹45 crore for sports development and continued operations of the newly built mega sports complex in the city.

Pay-and-Park Scheme on Five Roads

To address traffic congestion and parking issues, NMC will launch a Pay-and-Park scheme on five major roads on a pilot basis. If successful, the civic body plans to implement a comprehensive citywide parking policy.

Heritage Museum and Experience Centre

As part of its Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, NMC will establish a Centenary Museum showcasing the city’s history. An audio-visual Experience Centre depicting Nagpur’s 300-year history will also be developed inside the heritage Municipal Town Hall, aimed at enhancing tourism.

Tourism Promotion Through Festivals and QR Codes

The civic body announced the Nagpur Tourism Development Scheme, under which information about the city’s heritage, culture and landmarks will be made available through QR codes at 100 city squares.

Special emphasis will also be placed on promoting:

• Marbat Festival to attract tourists through Nagpur’s unique cultural identity.
• Seven-day Savji Bunakar Festival to showcase the city’s renowned cuisine to national and international visitors.

NMC will also publish a comprehensive #VisitNagpur guidebook featuring tourist attractions, food destinations and an annual festival calendar.

Water Conservation and Rainwater Harvesting

NMC has proposed:

• Installation of 209 recharge shafts across the city for rainwater harvesting.
• Mandatory rainwater harvesting provisions in major road and development projects.
• Rooftop rainwater harvesting in government buildings.
• Directions for large water consumers using over one lakh litres daily to install sewage treatment or effluent treatment plants.

Healthcare Initiatives

The budget includes several health initiatives:

• Citywide health screenings to make Nagpur cancer-free.
• ₹25 lakh assistance under the Mayor Harsh Muskan Scheme for dental treatment of girls below 18 years.
• Launch of the Mayor Netra Jyoti Scheme, under which free eye camps, cataract surgeries and spectacles will be provided in collaboration with Mahatme Eye Bank.
• Construction of 12 new Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs), with plans to build 53 UPHCs over the next five years.

Senior Citizen Welfare

Special provisions have been made for senior citizens, including:

• Health camps
• Recreational tours
• Awareness and wellness programmes
• Formation of senior citizens’ groups in every ward

Each corporator has been allotted ₹2 lakh for senior citizen welfare activities.

Education and Youth Initiatives

The budget proposes:

• Reconstruction of 12 municipal schools, with an NMC allocation of ₹30 crore.
• Distribution of 75 free bicycles to meritorious girls under the late former Mayor Pushpatai Ghode Bicycle Bank Scheme.
• Establishment of affordable UPSC and MPSC guidance centres in every Assembly constituency under the Sushma Swaraj Scheme.
• E-library facilities for learning Japanese, German and French under the Pramilatai Mendhe Language Centre.

Smart Wards and Labour Rest Centres

Under the “My Ward, Smart Ward” initiative, wards excelling in tax collection, cleanliness and innovative governance will receive ₹50 lakh special grants.

The civic body also announced labour rest centres (‘Thiyya’) across all zones for workers who come to Nagpur for employment.

Solar Energy and Hotel Certification

NMC plans to distribute 5,000 solar stoves to promote clean and affordable energy.

The corporation will also introduce a hotel classification and certification system to improve hospitality standards and boost tourism.

Digital Transformation and Data Centre

As part of its digitalisation drive, NMC will:

• Develop AI-powered audio and text chatbots for tax and water services.
• Establish an advanced municipal Data Centre for secure and integrated management of civic data.
• Launch a dedicated digital grievance redressal system and dashboard for corporators.

Startup Incubation Centre

To encourage entrepreneurship among Gen Z and ensure Nagpur keeps pace with Pune and Mumbai, NMC announced plans for the Jamsetji Tata Incubation Centre, with support from the government and District Planning Committee.

Aquarium and Children’s Film Festival

In collaboration with the Maharashtra Fisheries Department, NMC will facilitate the establishment of a state-of-the-art aquarium in Nagpur.

A special Children’s Film Festival will also be organised at Suresh Bhat Auditorium to instil patriotism and educate children about great personalities such as Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Ahilyabai Holkar.

Dedicated to Mothers of Martyrs

Beginning her budget speech, Standing Committee Chairperson Shivani Dani-Vakhare dedicated the budget to the mothers of brave soldiers, from Rajmata Jijau to the martyrs of Operation Sindoor.

Concluding with a poem by legendary Marathi poet Suresh Bhat, she declared:

“Tell the storms this much – our direction will never change. The lamp of Nagpur’s development will not be extinguished by any wind.”