Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)
Udupi, Mar 16: The Udupi City Municipality presented its budget for the financial year 2025-26, with an estimated surplus of Rs 5.17 crore. The budget was tabled by city municipality president Prabhakar Poojary on Saturday.
This year’s budget, presented after three years (since March 30, 2022), outlines a total revenue of Rs 250.63 crore, including an opening balance of Rs 107.57 crore and total receipts of Rs 143.06 crore, while the total expenditure is estimated at Rs 245.46 crore.
The estimated revenue includes Rs 31.29 crore from central and state finance commission grants, Rs 3 crore as SFC special grants, Rs 3.42 crore from the Swachh Bharat Mission, Rs 50 lac under the Gruha Bhagya scheme, and Rs 2.56 crore for traditional waste management.
Other revenue sources include Rs 5 lac from MP/MLA funds, Rs 30 lac from surcharge fees, Rs 10 lac for Indira Canteen maintenance, and Rs 1 crore for vendor zone construction. Property tax is expected to generate Rs 25.20 crore, while Rs 1.50 crore is projected from business license fees, Rs 22 lac from advertisement fees, Rs 50 lac from building permit fees, Rs 50 lac from development charges, Rs 19 crore from water supply charges, and Rs 2 crore from commercial complexes.
Administrative expenses for the municipal office are estimated at Rs 3.29 crore, Rs 6 crore for public works, Rs 30 crore for road development, Rs 6.10 crore for streetlight maintenance, and Rs 1.85 crore for new streetlight installations. Additionally, Rs 12.53 crore is allocated for water supply and Rs 4.98 crore for new pipelines, lake development, and water distribution.
A total of Rs 26.07 crore is designated for sanitation and solid waste management, Rs 1.85 crore for healthcare, Rs 9.89 crore for underground drainage projects, Rs 2.50 crore for parks, and Rs 25 lac for cemetery development. Additionally, Rs 2.07 crore is earmarked for Scheduled Castes and Tribes welfare, and Rs 34.49 lac for differently-abled welfare schemes.
A plan has been drafted to develop Vishweshwarayya Market into a modern commercial complex through a public-private partnership, with an estimated budget of Rs 4.45 crore for constructing a 33-ton capacity MRF unit.
To improve traffic flow, major junctions in the city will have roundabouts and passenger shelters. Footpaths and railings will be installed where possible to aid senior citizens. Road widening projects will be prioritized.
Vendor zones will be developed near Manipal Junior College, Ajjarkad Kasturba Nagar Road, and Malpe Beach. Solar lights and signal lights will be installed at key junctions across the city. The Udupi Municipality is in the process of being upgraded to a municipal corporation by merging nearby gram panchayats.
A plan has been drafted to purify sewage water from STPs using advanced technology before releasing it into the sea. Traditional buildings in Tenka Pete and Badagu Pete will be preserved. The Varahi Drinking Water Supply Project is in its final phase, aiming to provide round-the-clock drinking water to residents.
Measures will be taken to address parking issues and upgrade the city bus stand. Vishweshwarayya Market will be developed into a commercial complex through a public-private partnership, a new city municipal office building will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 45 crore, and the daily market will be upgraded with a rooftop structure above the city bus stand, according to Prabhakar Poojary’s budget statement.
The discussion that followed was attended by leader of opposition in the municipal council Ramesh Kanchan, members Amrutha Krishnamurthy, Sumitra R K Nayak, Krishnaraj Kodancha, Girish Anchan, Vijaya Kodavoor, and others.
Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna, vice president Rajani Hebbar, standing committee president Sundar Kalmadi, and municipal commissioner Dr Uday Kumar Shetty were present at the meeting.