Mayor Alok Sharma tabled the budget of Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) for the year 2016-17 here on Saturday. The budget is estimated at Rs 2,092.52 crore with Rs 68.36 crore deficit.
The civic body has perfected the art of rebranding old projects in new budget booklets. In the budget announcement for 2016-17 presented, dozen plus schemes were redecorated.
From food zones to flyovers and cleansing of Upper lake, the civic body budget is replete with highlights of development that have become standard announcements awaiting completion.
This year the development story has no doubt been of the ambitious Bhopal smart city project (SCP).
The development of smart city at Shivaji Nagar did not find a mention. However, Mayor Alok Sharma opened his budget speech mentioning the SCP achievement and highlighted the development of some PAN city proposals associated with it.
Taking a conservative approach to spending, Sharma repeated his admiration for the city of lakes and reiterated pending proposals of beautification of lakes. He allocated around Rs 15 crore for the proposal to cleanse the Upper lake and the lower lake. Mayor Sharma also announced installation of floating mountains on the Upper lake.
Mayor Sharma presenting his second budget, once again mentioned installation of solar lED lights in parts of the State Capital.
long lingering project for a new bus stand at old Sabzi Mandi at Hamidia road found a repeat mention too. An amusement park for Rs 5 crore along the Shahpura lake and entertainment zone at Idgah Hills worth Rs 4 crore was mentioned again.
BMC's much hyped convention centre at Shymala Hills for Rs 10 crore was highlighted again. "The location would serve as a hotel and convention centre for the BMC. Once complete it would be a pride for the BMC and the State Capital," said Sharma.
Born in the walled city, Sharma's pet project of rejuvenation of heritage at Chowk Bazaar was repeated. The project with DFID funding is worth an estimated Rs 5 crore. Short of major announcements BMC, mayor mentioned Habibganj RoB and flyover at Ginnori was added.