NMC hopes for more infra funds in Union Budget

Nagpur: The cash-strapped Nagpur Municipal Corporation, that has been implementing many centrally-funded projects, has pinned hopes on Union Budget for a much needed financial impetus. “The city has high expectations for infrastructure development,” said NMC’s standing committee chairman Pradip Pohane.
A senior NMC official said the civic body did not have any direct link with the Budget. It only gets allocation under different centrally-funded schemes. “Like we are implementing Amrut Yojna and if government increases its allocation, it will benefit urban local bodies including the NMC,” the official pointed out. If allotment for urban development is increased, NMC stands to benefit, he added.
At present, NMC has already proposed sewage disposal plan, Nag River rejuvenation and ongoing 24x7 water supply projects. NMC has got approval for Rs4,200 crore worth of projects under the Smart City Mission, AMRUT and Swachh Bharat Mission. Works on these projects are underway. Therefore, annual allocation of funds for these will be important for the city.
Of the Rs3,322 crore, NMC had received Rs444 crore for Smart City project from both Central, state governments and Nagpur Improvement Trust and spent Rs188 crore. Nagpur Smart and Sustainable City Development Corporation Ltd (NSSCDCL) CEO Ramnath Sonwane said, “This is for the first time that centrally-sponsored scheme funds are provided in advance. Even matching grants are given by state government as committed.”
The official also pointed out that though the Central government had sanctioned Rs273.78 crore for Amrut project, the city received only Rs28 crore and work orders of an equal amount have been sanctioned. Centre should release the remaining funds at the earliest, he said.
Pohane said with two stalwarts from the city — Union minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai — the city will definitely witness more development in coming years. Many NHAI projects like flyovers and RUBs are underway and more will be sanctioned with Gadkari at the Centre, he hoped.
City BJP president and former mayor Pravin Datke said that Centre should include the city in all new schemes and clear proposed and pending projects.
Town planners, however, pointed out the Central government should consider city’s population and areas while allocating funds for any project like Smart City.