In a big relief to the residents of New Delhi, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) did not hike the property tax rate in Lutyens’ Delhi. The NDMC budget proposal tabled in the council, proposes to ,setting up a ‘Veerangna Museum’ by Comprehensive Conservation of Gole Market Heritage Building and its adjoining areas, night/staggered timing of cleaning of public spaces, new design of school uniforms, tablets for students, smart parking, mist spray kits on poles for clean air and two foot over bridges at AIIMS Gate No.1, Aurobindo Marg and Delhi High Court near Gate No.5.
Presenting a surplus budget of Rs Rs 463.40 Crore projected in 2025-26, the NDMC chairman Keshav Chandra announced that there will not be any hike in the current rates of property tax for the year 2025-26. The council is expecting to collect Property Tax of Rs. 1150 Crore in Revised Estimates 2024-25 and Rs. 1290 Crore in BE 2025-26.
According to the budget document, the total receipts of the Budget Estimates (BE) 2025-26 are Rs. 5770.60 Crore against Rs. 5319.75 Crore provided in Revised Estimate 2024-25. The total actual receipts in 2023-24 were Rs. 5005.05 Crore. The BE 2025-26 for the revenue receipts are Rs. 5100.32 Crore against Rs. 4730.31 Crore provided in RE 2024-25 and actual of Rs. 4417.12 Crore in 2023-24.
The BE for revenue expenditure in 2025-26 are Rs. 4657.45 Crore against Rs. 4612.70 Crore provided in RE 2024-25 and actual of Rs. 4219.68 Crore in 2023-24. The capital expenditure is projected at Rs. 649.75 Crore in BE 2025-26 against Rs. 263.84 Crore in RE 2024-25 and actual of Rs. 144.20 Crore in 2023-24.
The total revenue receipts from electricity distribution strategic business unit (EDSBU) have been projected in RE 2024-25 at Rs.1706.75 Crore as against actual Rs. 1533.22 Crore in the year 2023-24. The projections for BE 2025-26 are at Rs. 1811.91 crore. “The actual receipts in 2023-24 for Licence Fee from Municipal Properties stood at Rs. 905.41 crore. The Projections for RE 2024-25 are at Rs. 825.16 Crore and BE 2025-26 are at Rs.900.16 crore,” said.
As part of our commitment to transparency, efficiency, and modern governance, he proposed transitioning to a 100 digital payment system in NDMC and Streamlined Digital Platforms by expanding NDMC’s existing digital payment channels, including NDMC’s mobile app, online portals, and QR code systems at counters.
The document said for convenience and safety of pedestrians, construction of two foot over bridges at AIIMS Gate No.1, Aurobindo Marg and Delhi High Court near Gate No.5, Shershah Road respectively are being taken up. The work is likely to be started in 2025-26. Based on positive response from the residents/visitors, a project of development of a roundabout opposite New Parliament is in process and likely to be completed in next FY 2025-26. The council has implemented a range of proactive environment improvement measures especially regarding air pollution. To mitigate the spread of dust, NDMC is also exploring the feasibility of an innovative idea of installation of mist spray on electrical poles in the area.
According to the NDMC Budget, the color and digital design of the school uniform has been finalized by a committee. Fabric selection is in progress. Finalization of Redesigning of uniform is being taken up with NIFT. The scheme is likely to be implemented in next 2025-26. NDMC plans to upgrade and convert its all existing PTUs/CTUs into state of the art designs having eco-friendly features and efficient disposal based management.
The NDMC introduced a program for night cleaning and staggered times to achieve maximum efficiency with minimum disruption. The logic behind the move is that sanitary workers of the municipality will get enough time to clean the areas, which otherwise becomes cumbersome during routine working hours. It will reduce disruption to business activity and impediments to citizens and ensure the area is fresh and ready for activities. Heavy machinery and water jets could be used without interruption. The cleaning drive has already started as a pilot project in the Khan Market area and will be implemented in the entire NDMC area.
To promote solar energy to reduce the power bills for the poor and middle class, NDMC encouraged local residents to install roof solar power grids. NDMC has 234 Nos. of existing solar connections out of which 93 connections are of 3.12 MWp and 234 connections are of 11.30 MWp.
A “landscape Architect will be engaged for designs/development of major gardens so as to make NDMC a horticulture city of the world,” the Budget document said. The NDMC aims to achieve an efficient Parking Management System by upgrading the existing parking lots into Smart Parking by installing Intelligent Parking components and developing software etc. for a period of 10 years. The work will likely be started in the next FY 2025-26.
In collaboration with Delhi Police, a Safe City Project has been initiated for mutual sharing of the CCTV camera feeds. The work laying of the lease line is at the awarding stage and is likely to be completed in FY 2025-26. The dark spots are also being identified and additional lights are being installed for the safety and security of women and other residents/commuters of the NDMC area, he said.
