Mayor Jagat Bahadur Singh on Monday presented the Jabalpur Municipal Corporation’s (JMC) largest-ever budget of about Rs 2,200 crore for the financial year 2026-27, laying out an ambitious roadmap to transform the city into a metropolitan hub. Calling the Budget “a roadmap for the city’s future, not just an income-expenditure statement,” the Mayor said the focus is on making the civic body self-reliant. He highlighted that no loans have been taken in the past three-and-a-half years, underlining financial discipline. During the period, works worth Rs 2,600 crore have been completed, while projects worth Rs 3,000 crore are set for groundwork in the next 18 months. The budget meeting of the Jabalpur Municipal Corporation was organised at Pt Bhawani Prasad Tiwari auditorium at 11 am. Mayor Singh presented the budget in the House. Later he addressed the House, highlighting main proposals mentioned in the budget. Meanwhile, the Opposition members created chaos and staged a walkout demanding detailed discussions on roads, sanitation and drinking water issues. Leader of Opposition Amrish Mishra said key civic problems should have been debated for at least two days before presenting the budget. Corporators later staged protested within outside the JMC House, raising slogans over unresolved issues. Now, the House re-assembled for budget discussion at 11 am, on Monday. MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURal PUSH A significant share of the budget is directed towards infrastructure and urban development. Proposals worth Rs 1,147 crore have been sent under the Urban Challenge Fund, including redevelopment of Ranital pond, slum rehabilitation, affordable housing and strengthening of water supply and sewer networks. Waterlogging control and water management works worth Rs 222 crore have also been planned. These include drain construction, pond restoration, rainwater harvesting systems, mobile pumping stations and a flood early warning system.

 

The city will also see expansion of sewer lines worth Rs 755 crore, along with road, drainage and other civic works. A 500 crore re-densification plan aims to improve urban layout and infrastructure. The Mayor announced that Narmada water supply will reach every household within a year. Efforts are also underway to stop polluted drains from entering the river through installation of STPs. Solid waste management is being strengthened with a Rs 200 crore bio-gas plant, waste segregation and procurement of 100 door-to-door collection vehicles. The existing waste-to-energy plant is producing electricity from 900 tonnes of waste daily. Environmental initiatives include plantation of 12 lakh saplings, beautification of five major ponds and development of city parks. Flood mitigation, lake deepening and urban green zones are also part of the plan. Contd from page 1 URBAN MOBILITY, TOURISM AND AMENITIES The budget proposes introduction of 100 AC buses, development of 64 parking sites and beautification of key squares and entry points. Plans are also in place for an international-standard swimming pool and a cricket stadium. Tourism and recreation projects include a five-star level resort at Dumna Nature Park and development of a modern riverfront and city spaces. A film city project has also been proposed. SOCIAL WELFARE AND INNOVATION The budget highlighted several welfare measures, including concessional metro bus passes for students, specially-abled and senior citizens. employment initiatives, innovation from waste products and support to civic staff families were also outlined. The Mayor said 135 dependents of deceased employees have been given compassionate appointments, while salaries of sanitation workers have been increased significantly.

 

CONCERNS RAISED BY OPPOSITION During the budget meeting Opposition members staged walk out and set on dharna outside JMC House. they highlighted issues of poor door-to-door garbage collection, irregular water supply and pending ward-level development works. They alleged that several past budget announcements remain incomplete and accused the administration of focusing more on publicity than execution. They warned that protests would continue if separate discussions on civic issues are not scheduled. RISING BUDGET TREND l Rs 1,400 crore in 2023-24 l Rs 1500 crore in 2024-25 l Rs 1800 crore in 2025-26 l Rs 2,200 crore in 2026-27 The civic body’s budget has steadily increased over the past four years, from Rs 1,400 crore in 2023-24 to around Rs 2,200 crore in 2026-27, marking a sharp expansion in the city’s development outlay.