HMC set to unveil Rs6.3b budget on 7th

Long-delayed meeting to first ratify proceedings of the last session held eight months and 24 days ago

HYDERABAD:

After a gap of 267 days, Hyderabad Municipal Corporation is set to meet again as Mayor Kashif Shoro has summoned budget session for Tuesday at Mumtaz Mirza Auditorium.

Council Officer Faiza Akram issued a 4-point agenda on the mayor's instructions. The long-delayed meeting will first ratify proceedings of the last budget session held eight months and 24 days ago. The mayor will then present revised estimates for 2025-26 and the new budget for 2026-27.

HMC has projected income of Rs6.301 billion against expenditures of Rs 6.300 billion, leaving a surplus of Rs 600,000.

The biggest chunk of the session will focus on development. Tenders worth Rs601.431 million for 16 schemes under SPPRA rules will be tabled for approval. Major projects include Rs138 million for an overhead pedestrian bridge with motorcycle ramp at D-Park, Rs85 million for streets and drains in Tando Fazal, Rs80 million for Tando Jam, and Rs70 million for the Hostry Check Post to Phuleli Bridge road via Bahar Colony.

Other allocations include Rs60 million each for Qasimabad and Nerun Kot, Rs40 million for Latifabad, Rs20 million for Hussainabad and Rs4.431 million for the boundary wall of Niaz Stadium parking.

No new schemes have been proposed for TMCs Mian Sarfaraz and Preetabad. Rs150 million has also been earmarked for CC paving and drains in various union committees, though details were not provided.

The agenda also seeks administrative approval for 9 completed street light projects across the city, covering routes from Auto Bhan to Bhattai Hospital, Mahmood Garden to Shaheed Chowk, and Kohsar Phase-1 to Khuda Hafiz Chowk among others. Approval for fire brigade equipment, vehicle repairs and uniforms has been included with cost to be "as per market rate." Interestingly, the traditional agenda item "Any other matter with permission of the Mayor" has been omitted this time.