Mumbai: Nearly 87% of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority’s Rs 48,072.5 crore budget for 2026-27 will be spent on infrastructure works, with Rs 4,000 crore earmarked for the new Karnala–Sai–Chirner town under the Mumbai 3.0 expansion plan. The authority on Monday presented its first surplus budget in 9 years, projecting a marginal surplus of Rs 17 lakh — a sharp turnaround from a Rs 7,468 crore deficit reported in 2024-25.With estimated receipts of Rs 48,072.5 crore and expenditure of Rs 48,072.4 crore, the outlay is 58.6% higher than the revised estimate of Rs 30,316 crore for 2025-26, while expenditure is up 53.5%.A total of Rs 42,026 crore was allocated for development projects, signalling an aggressive expansion across transport and urban infrastructure.Apart from the Rs 4,000 crore Karnala–Sai–Chirner new town, another Rs 500 crore was set aside for the Pen growth centre and Rs 100 crore for the Kharbav business park, together forming the Mumbai 3.0 decentralisation plan.MMRDA said the Rs 4,000 crore allocation to Mumbai 3.0 marked operationalisation of MMR’s next urban frontier, designed to decongest Mumbai, attract global capital, and create structured employment ecosystems aligned with NITI Aayog’s Growth Hub concept.Metro projects account for the single largest share at Rs 13,838.8 crore, including major funding for the Wadala–Kasarvadavali, Swami Samarth Nagar–Kanjurmarg, Thane–Bhiwandi–Kalyan, and Dahisar–Mira Bhayander corridors. Roads and elevated corridors will receive Rs 12,816.5 crore, while tunnel projects such as Thane–Borivli and Orange Gate–Marine Drive links together get Rs 5,543.5 crore. Social and civic works include Rs 731.3 crore for housing and rehabilitation, Rs 980.8 crore for water supply projects, and Rs 250 crore for climate resilience initiatives. Memorial projects account for Rs 571.5 crore.Receipts are expected to be driven mainly by borrowings of Rs 23,711 crore, land monetisation of Rs 11,177.95 crore, and urban transport fund collections of Rs 6,368.4 crore. CM Devendra Fadnavis said: “MMRDA’s first surplus budget since 2017–18 marks a defining institutional milestone. This budget reflects global investor confidence and a long-term infrastructure-led growth vision. It positions the Mumbai Metropolitan Region as a modern, investment-ready, and globally competitive urban region.” DCM and MMRDA chairman Eknath Shinde said: “With 87% allocation towards projects, this budget demonstrates focused, accountable governance.” Metropolitan commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee said: “This surplus budget is the outcome of fiscal discipline, calibrated capital mobilisation, and sustained infrastructure delivery.”
