Chennai Corporation’s biggest-ever budget promises: Better roads and streets, thrust on digital education

CHENNAI: The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) presented its biggest ever budget, crossing the Rs 5,000 crore-mark, on Wednesday, and allocated a lion’s share of its funds to make roads better, keep the streets flood-free and ensure the bus termini are swanky with air-conditioned waiting halls.

The Rs 5,214crore budget for 2025–26 earmarked over Rs 1,600 crore for infrastructure upgrades such as stormwater drains, roads, and key bus shelters at Saidapet, Guindy and Ekkatuthangal.

Solid waste management received a big bump, with allocation jumping from Rs 210 crore last year to Rs 352 crore this year.

The GCC plans to use the funds to set up bio-CNG plants to process wet waste. Education initiatives, including STEM coaching, spoken English classes, and digital learning upgrades, were allotted Rs 35 crore. Three geriatric wellness centres are being set up to address health issues of the ageing population.

The budget sharply cut its deficit from Rs 263 crore last year to Rs 69 crore now. However, it continues to lean on property tax and stamp duty. Property tax alone is expected to fetch Rs 2,020 crore — Rs 270 crore more than last year, while stamp duty cost and professional taxes fetch another Rs 1,100 crore.

Out of the Rs 5,214 crore expenditure, GCC would spend at least Rs 4,300 crore on salaries, administrative expenses, operation and maintenance, and loan repayments. With non-tax revenue seeing a fall by Rs 150 crore from last year, GCC has to shore up outside revenue for crucial projects.

“We cannot entirely rely on property tax. We are working to boost revenue from other sources to scale up like other metros. We are exploring municipal bonds and street-light ads to start with. Parking is being streamlined too,” said commissioner J Kumaragurubaran.