The Mayor of Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) on Wednesday presented a budget of Rs 475.83 crore for the financial year 2025-26 with an estimated expenditure of  Rs 476.50 crore with a deficit of Rs 72.02 lakh.

The Mayor asked for active participation and cooperation from the citizens while presenting the budget.

For the 2024-25 financial year, the total revenue and capital income was estimated at Rs 415.97 crore and the approved expenditure for that year was Rs 416.74 crore. The deficit was Rs 76.75 lakh.

Compared to the previous year, the proposed income for the next financial year has increased by Rs 59.86 crore and the expenditure has increased by Rs 59.81 crore, said Mayor.

The increased expenditure in the budget is due to new development projects for the upcoming financial year. The budget deficit of Rs 72.02 lakh is expected to be covered by the Agartala Municipal Corporation's own revenue sources and government grants.

This budget presentation has been made possible due to an increase in both revenue and non-revenue income of the AMC, as well as funding from the 15th Finance Commission under the state government's grants, shares of taxes, TULM, SBM, PMAY Urban, Special Funds, Smart City Mission, MYS, and ULM, etc. The budget's expenditures include salaries and wages for employees and workers, fuel, institutional and other incidental costs of providing services to citizens. Additionally, capital expenditures have been included for several new infrastructure development projects in the municipal area, said Mayor.

Looking at the past years' operations of the AMC, it can be clearly seen that several water bodies have been created, new roads, culverts, drains, public toilets, parks, and crematoriums have been built, along with some infrastructure like municipal markets. High-power electric lighting systems have been installed at various important locations in the city to ensure public safety. In the upcoming 2025-26 financial year, the Agartala Municipal Corporation has placed special emphasis on several ambitious projects for implementation, said Majumder.

He added that three new flood pump houses will be constructed at three locations in the city: (a) Shakuntala Road, (b) Ramnagar 4th Road, (c) Satsang Ashram area, at an estimated cost of Rs 28 crore.

New flood pumps and water discharge pipelines will be installed at an estimated cost of Rs 4 crore and a modern slaughterhouse will be built at the Durga Chaumuhani market area at an estimated cost of Rs 56 lakh.

Highlighting the budget proposals, Majumder said that new electric lines, roads, and drains will be constructed in the extended area of the municipal corporation at a cost of Rs 5 crore, more Rs 5 crore has been allocated for the construction of new ward offices.

A plan has been made to install electric crematoriums at the city’s three cremation grounds at an estimated cost of Rs 3.30 crore.

The beautification and renovation of five large water bodies in the city, namely (a) Shib Bari, (b) Pratapgarh Rishi Colony, (c) Abhoynagar Bazaar, (d) Abhoynagar Veterinary Hospital, (e) Radhanagar Pond, have been allocated Rs 17 crore.

The Municipal Corporation has proposed an allocation of Rs 11 crore for improving the drinking water supply in the city, excluding the Tripura Water Board project.

The budget has allocated five times more funds for fogging machines and insecticides to control mosquito breeding, said Mayor.

He said that as per the  state government’s decision, a new 50-bed ‘Agartala Civil Hospital’ will be opened at the jeckson Gate area at a cost of Rs 10 crore, aimed at reducing the pressure on IGM Hospital. Rs 5 crore will be used for construction work, and the remaining Rs 5 crore will be used to purchase medical equipment. The proposed hospital will provide 24-hour OPD services and supply necessary medicines to patients.

A new project named "Bharat Mata Canteen cum Night Shelter" has been proposed, under which the state government will provide arrangements for night stays and subsidized meals in the Agartala Municipal area during the 2025-26 financial year and Rs 2 crore has been allocated for this, and necessary land has been earmarked, said Mayor.

For the infrastructure development of the Agartala Municipal area, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has promised financial assistance of Rs 1200 crore, through which a large-scale construction initiative for roads, lanes, drains, and culverts is planned.

The Tripura Building Rules, 2017, which are effective for house construction in Agartala Municipal area, have been amended to include an Auto-DCR system, replacing the earlier online application process. All engineers have been provided with necessary training regarding this system.

Majumder assured that efforts would be made to optimize the corporation’s financial resources and attract additional funds from government schemes to ensure uninterrupted civic services.

All the Mayor-in-Councils, Councillors  and AMC Commissioner Dr Sailesh Kumar Yadav were also present.