The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) Budget for 2025-26 on Wednesday, March 19, earmarked the highest allocation for Storm Water Drain (SWD) projects, roads, buildings and solid waste management projects. Chennai Mayor R Priya announced Rs 1,032 crore for SWD, Rs 628 crore for roads, Rs 413 crore for buildings and Rs 352 crore for solid waste management.
Mayor Priya said, “The Greater Chennai Corporation has drafted the budget with financial providence and has mapped the plan of action for 2025-2026 based on the needs of the people.”
The GCC has also announced that it would handle public grievances and provide services for citizens through WhatsApp. A sum of Rs 4.46 crore has been allocated for the same. Additionally, the Mayor’s fund has been improved from Rs 3 crore to Rs 4 crore, while the councillors’ funds for carrying out works across the 200 wards in the city have been increased to Rs 60 lakh from Rs 50 lakh.
Taxation and Finance Committee Chairman Sarbajaya Das announced Rs 5,145.52 crore in revenue receipt and Rs 5,214.09 crore in revenue expenditure for 2025-26. Meanwhile, a total of 62 announcements were listed by Mayor Priya.
Here are sector-wise highlights from the announcements made this year:
Education
Electronic visual displays to be installed in 414 GCC-run primary school classrooms at the cost of Rs 1.66 crore.
In 81 GCC-run middle schools and high schools, 162 electronic visual displays to be installed at the cost of Rs 64.80 lakh.
Spoken English training for GCC students from Classes 9 to 12 will be undertaken by MEPSC (Management, Entrepreneurship & Professional Skills Council) certified trainers. Rs 20 lakh has been allocated for this training.
In each of the 15 zones, a skill development centre for women that will offer computer training, sewing, embroidery, and other classes free of cost, will be established at Rs 50 lakh. For 15 such centres, Rs 7.50 crore has been allocated.
In 52 middle and high schools run by the corporation, generators will be made available as backup electricity. Rs 4.7 crore has been allocated for the same.
Public health
Rs 15 crore will be spent on acquiring backup generators for all crematoriums in Chennai’s burial grounds.
In three Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHC) in BRN Garden, Sembium, and Thoraipakkam, a separate department for the elderly population will be established at a total cost of Rs 90 lakh.
In 22 of the newly constructed UPHCs, elevators will be established at an estimated cost of Rs 5 crore.
All medical storage facilities within the city limits will be air-conditioned at the cost of Rs 3 crore.
Veterinary hospitals will be established in 10 zones (1,2,3,4,5,7,8,11,13). Rs 15 lakh has been allocated for the same.
A trauma care facility for pets will be established at the cost of Rs 25 lakh in Kannamapettai Veterinary Hospital.
19 hospitals, including 16 Urban Community Health Centres (UCHCs) and 3 maternity hospitals, in Chennai will be provided with Fogger Machines for sterilisation and defibrillators at Rs 10 lakh and Rs 51 lakh, respectively.
Roads
Shelters will be developed in 200 bus stops at a cost of Rs 30 crore.
Tensile roof will be established with Rs 4.47 crore allocation at Ekkatuthangal, Guindy and West Saidapet bus stops.
Solid waste management
Two Windrow composting plants with 50 metric tonne capacity, will be set up in Perungudi dumpyard at a cost of Rs 14 crore.
Rs 22.25 crore has been allocated for setting up 10 Plastic Balong Centres with 10 metric tonne capacity each, in 10 zones, including zones 1,3,4,8,9,10,11,12,13, and 15.
Others
20 small-sized sweeping cum suction vehicles for Chennai’s roads will be procured at a cost of Rs 8 crore.
The corporation, through a public-private partnership, will establish smart parking facilities in the city.
Rs 1 crore has been earmarked for installing 400 surveillance cameras in garbage hotspots or areas where people often dump waste.
A financial plan for environmental protection in Chennai is also in the pipeline for this year, Mayor Priya said. The corporation will soon install QR codes for easing tax payments for citizens, she added.
Of the 82 announcements made in the 2024-25 budget, 37 works have been completed, while three have been discontinued. The other 43 works are ongoing, the corporation listed in a press release.