Indore Corporation unveils 2024-25 budget: Major tax hikes, ambitious infrastructure plans, protests

K K Jha

Indore: The Indore Municipal Corporation has presented its budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, featuring significant increases in water and property taxes alongside a suite of ambitious development projects aimed at transforming the city. The new budget includes a ₹100 increase in water charges and a 15% rise in property taxes, designed to generate additional revenue for crucial infrastructure and sustainability initiatives.

Key Budget Highlights:

Road Development: The budget outlines the construction of 23 new roads, including three major routes from the city’s master plan, to enhance connectivity and reduce traffic congestion.

Digital Transformation: A new e-portal will be developed to improve service delivery and make municipal services more accessible to residents.

Waste-to-Energy Plant: A ₹200 crore investment will establish a waste-to-energy plant capable of processing 500 tons of waste daily and generating six megawatts of electricity, advancing the city’s sustainability goals.

Green Slum Initiative: The budget allocates funds to convert 30 slum areas into ‘green slums,’ supports the acquisition of 150 new waste collection vehicles, and plans to install solar systems in five parks and one colony per ward.

Narmada Phase Four: The fourth phase of the Narmada water supply project will commence with ₹1,800 crore allocated for the construction of 27 new water tanks to improve water distribution across the city.

Modern Parking Facilities: Development of modern parking facilities in five key areas aims to address parking challenges and improve traffic management.

Kanh River Purification: ₹500 crore is earmarked for constructing treatment plants to purify the Kanh River, enhancing water quality and environmental health.

Protests and Controversy:

The budget presentation was overshadowed by protests from the Congress party, which criticized the tax increases and alleged financial mismanagement within the municipal corporation. Councilors, dressed in black, staged a demonstration against the budget, leading to heightened tensions and the expulsion of the Leader of the Opposition for the day. Despite the controversy, the budget represents a bold step towards advancing Indore’s infrastructure and sustainability, aiming to meet the city’s growing demands and environmental goals.