TMC budget still not approved, residents worried

THANE: Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) budget for this financial year has not been approved yet.

The delaywillaffectallotment of funds and corporators will not be able to take up work at ward levels.

“The model code of conduct and lack of decisions have delayed the budget approval. Despite orders to implement the budget at the earliest, there has beenadelayforsomanymonths. I have ordered the administration to ensure that the budget is approved soon,” said Ram Repale, standing committee chairperson.

Asperrulesifthebudgetisnot approved in time, the funds allocated will not be sanctioned.

Corporators raised this issue in the standing committee meeting held on Monday.

“Due to lack of funds, all the work in our respective wards is affected. There are no talks about the status of the funds for improvement of wards or the corporation funds. With only three months left for the next year’s budget, there is a strong possibility we will not get the funds,” said Vimal Bhoir, corporator, TMC.

Manish Joshi, deputy municipalcommissioner,TMC,said,“A new proposal will be made soon and we will ensure that work continues in all wards.”

Inthisyear’sbudget,TMC has allocated ₹1,000 crore for roads and bridges.

This includes road development, completion of third Kalwa

bridge, Meenatai Thackeray junction flyover, Sant Namdev flyoverandKharagaonrailoverbridge. The corporation had promisedtocompletethebridges this year.

RESIDENTS SPEAK

Geeta Iyer, 47, resident of Brahmand, said, “It has been more than three months that the road at Dharmacha Pada has been dug up. This is an inconvenience to locals.”

Residents said they are facing problems as TMC has failed to provide basic facilities to residents.

“Only making way for bigger projects and approving Metro, flyovers and other related work will not be helpful. Maintaining the existing infrastructure is necessary especially with the ever increasing population in Thane,” said Sanjeev Dutta, an activist.