Mayor R. Priya, Taxation and Finance Committee Chairman Sarbajaya Das, and Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran with the documents of GCC Budget for the financial year 2025–26, at Ripon Buildings on Wednesday
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) allocated ₹43 crore for the repair and improvement of 300 parks on Wednesday (March 19, 2025).
In her speech at the GCC Budget presentation for the Financial Year 2025-26, Mayor R. Priya announced that the Councillor’s Ward Development Fund would be increased from ₹50 lakh to ₹60 lakh per ward, and the Mayor’s Special Development Fund would be raised from ₹3 crore to ₹4 crore. These revised allocations, she said, would be utilised for development projects and civic improvements across the city.
The Mayor also introduced a QR code system for tax and trade licence payments. She stated that this system would allow residents to pay property tax, fees for name changes, trade licence fees, and other charges instantly by scanning a QR code, which will be printed on bills and official documents.
₹40 crore for road projects
The Mayor said that ₹40 crore was allocated for road maintenance and pedestrian-friendly projects — resurfacing damaged roads, upgrading footpaths, constructing pedestrian plazas, installing tactile paving for visually impaired pedestrians, and enhancing street lighting.
She also said that ₹42 crore was earmarked for beautifying spaces under flyovers in T. Nagar, Anna Salai, Royapettah, Egmore, and Perambur. The project will involve landscaping, lighting, seating arrangements, and artwork to spruce up public spaces in these areas.
Animal welfare
Ms. Priya stated that ₹3 crore had been allocated for vaccinating 1.8 lakh stray dogs against rabies and for administering deworming medication. She announced that a special emergency care centre for injured pet animals would be set up for ₹25 lakh. She added that a burial ground for deceased pets would be established at the Moolakothalam burial ground in Tondiarpet Zone. Additionally, she said that 10 new veterinary hospitals would be built within the existing Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres of the GCC at ₹15 lakh each.
Public health
She further said that ₹15 crore was set aside to install generators at crematoriums to ensure uninterrupted power, ₹90 lakh for geriatric care units at three urban primary health centres, ₹10 lakh for machines to sterilise operation theatres in maternity hospitals, and ₹51 lakh for defibrillators in 16 Urban Community Health Centres (UCHCs) and three maternity hospitals.
Education
According to the Mayor’s announcements, ₹20 crore was earmarked for special classes to enhance English-speaking skills for students from Classes IX to XII, ₹64.80 lakh for installing large interactive display boards in high and higher secondary schools, ₹39.10 lakh for providing models of globes in 2,300 classrooms, and ₹1.66 crore for setting up digital boards in 414 Montessori classrooms. She stated that ₹40.50 crore was allocated for competitive exam awareness programmes and incentives for students.
Additionally, she announced that temporary physical education teachers would be appointed on a contract basis in 141 schools, with ₹2.34 crore allocated for this project.
Budget announcements
New road cleaning vehicles
To ensure that roads remain clean without obstructing traffic, ₹8 crore will be allocated for purchasing 20 compact ride-on sweeping and suction vehicles.
Conversion to CNG and electric vehicles
To reduce air pollution, the Chennai Corporation will gradually replace diesel and petrol vehicles with CNG and electric vehicles.
Solid waste management
Two windrow compost plants, each with a capacity of 50 metric tonnes, will be set up in Perungudi at a cost of ₹14 crore.
Plastic recycling centres
Plastic baling centers will be established in 10 zones at a cost of ₹22.25 crore to reduce plastic waste at landfill sites.
WhatsApp-based public services
A ₹4.46 crore allocation will facilitate citizen services, grievance redressal, and automated FAQs through WhatsApp-based communication.
CCTV cameras
An additional 400 CCTV cameras will be installed in key areas to monitor waste disposal at a cost of ₹1 crore.
Published – March 19, 2025 03:02 pm IST