The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is gearing up for a transformative fiscal year ahead, as reflected in its budget estimates for 2024-25. Among the notable initiatives is the establishment of the MCD’s first Lactation Management Unit, commonly known as a Milk Bank, aimed at providing essential support for new mothers.
Additionally, the civic body is embracing technological advancements by incorporating Artificial Intelligence for the monitoring of civic amenities.
Presenting a budget estimate of Rs 16,683.02 crore for the upcoming fiscal year, the MCD anticipates an estimated income of Rs 15,686.99 crore. This marks a significant increase of Rs 400 crore in revenue, attributed to the highest-ever collection of Rs 2,417 crore through property tax during the financial year 2022-23.
The MCD’s groundbreaking Milk Bank is set to be established at Swami Dayanand Hospital, enhancing maternal and infant health services. Furthermore, a pilot project leveraging artificial intelligence is proposed for Preet Vihar, East Patel Nagar, and Kotla Mubarakpur wards, aiming to extend and optimize civic services through innovative technology.
Addressing educational infrastructure, the MCD plans to construct approximately 20 school buildings in various zones of the city, including Punjabi Bagh, Paschim Vihar, Ibrahimpur, Wazirabad Village, GTB Nagar, and Mangolpuri. The Sahbhagita scheme introduces a 5% additional incentive for educational institutions with land areas exceeding 10 acres, contingent on the deposit of 100% of the property tax.
In efforts to enhance the quality of education, the MCD proposes to hire 420 nursery attendants, security guards, and sanitation workers for schools. The budget also allocates funds for the establishment of libraries in 44 schools and the installation of smart interactive panels in 25 proposed model schools.
The MCD demonstrates a commitment to public welfare with plans for the sterilization of approximately 1 lakh stray dogs in the coming financial year. Furthermore, the introduction of FASTag parking facilities in 21 parking spaces is announced, streamlining parking services.
Infrastructure development is a key focus, with the construction of multi-level parking facilities in various locations across the city, including Punjabi Bagh, GK-I market, Amar Colony, Shiva Market, Gandhi Maidan, Qutub Road, Nigam Bodh, and Bagh Diwar Market.
The MCD’s commitment to sustainable practices is evident in plans for waste-to-energy plants, with a 3,600 TPD capacity in Narela-Bawana and expansions in Okhla and Tehkhand. An agreement with ASCI-Hyderabad for an audit of these plants aligns with solid waste management rules, aiming to identify deficiencies and provide improvement suggestions.
The civic body also envisions setting up testing labs in 60 primary health centers under the PPP model and establishing a blood storage facility at Mata Gujri Hospital.
As part of the Waste-to-Art theme, the completion of Delhi Darshan Park Phase-II, Dinosaur Park, and Heritage Park is underway. Additionally, the development of Roshanara Nursery in Keshav Puram as a ‘High-Tech Nursery’ is in progress.
In a bid to streamline administrative processes, the MCD emphasizes the computerization of cremation grounds, linking them to birth-death offices for the seamless issuance of cremation receipts and death certificates. The ongoing development and construction of around 30 more cremation grounds and cemeteries in places like Dakshinpuri, Harkesh Nagar, and Kishangarh further underscore the civic body’s commitment to the well-being of the residents.
