Pune, 24 March 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Tuesday presented its civic budget for 2026–27, setting aside a whopping ₹15,669 crore for the city’s development. The budget, presented by Standing Committee Chairman Shrinath Bhimale, focuses on infrastructure, healthcare, urban mobility, environmental initiatives, and public welfare.
The budget promises significant upgrades to Pune’s healthcare facilities. Plans include:
Five multi-specialty hospitals
Six maternity homes
A dedicated cancer hospital in Baner
An IVF facility
Expanded MRI services
Officials say the aim is to make treatment more affordable or even free. However, experts caution that existing staff shortages in hospitals may pose challenges to implementation.
A major portion of the budget, ₹6,837 crore is earmarked for infrastructure development. Key projects include:
Three new flyovers and three bridges
100 public toilets
Parking facilities near 30 metro stations
To tackle traffic congestion and reduce pollution, PMC plans to introduce 1,000 electric buses alongside investments in road development, pollution control, and solid waste management.
The budget also emphasizes environmental upkeep and heritage tourism:
₹60 crore for lake cleaning
Development of gardens and expansion of Pune Zoo
Launch of the ‘Pune Riverfront Experience Park’, featuring amusement rides and an observation wheel inspired by London’s Thames Eye
Other attractions include the Sarasbaug glass bridge, Parvati ropeway, and a Bharat Mandapam-style convention centre at Lohegaon
The PMC has allocated funds for social welfare measures, including:
50% property tax discount for women homeowners
100 free public toilets
75 pink rooms in schools for girls
Self-defense training programs for women
While the 2026–27 budget sets ambitious targets, questions remain over its execution. Critics point out that without new revenue sources, delivering these promises could be challenging. The real test for the PMC will be turning these plans into reality, whether Puneans will see cleaner lakes, smoother traffic, and better healthcare remains to be seen.