Patna: The Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Monday proposed a Rs 2,980-crore budget for the upcoming financial year, a substantial increase from last year’s Rs2,400 crore, during a special standing committee meeting.The budget lays emphasis on city logistics, integration of municipal assets and large-scale beautification initiatives. A major highlight is the planned rollout of the Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) system this financial year through the operationalisation of garbage transfer stations across all six circles — Azimabad, Bankipur, Kankerbagh, New Capital, Patliputra and Patna City.To address persistent complaints raised in board meetings, funds have been earmarked to upgrade sanitation and waste-collection vehicles, including auto-tippers and e-carts, and strengthen the overall collection mechanism. The civic body also plans to procure additional garbage collection vehicles.The PMC is also aiming to improve its financial sustainability. With the city expanding rapidly and new roads and lanes being developed, streetlights will be installed in required areas. Revenue collection will be strengthened through the engagement of a specialised agency, with a target of Rs137 crore, of which Rs 90 crore has already been realised. A city-wide survey for trade licences will also be conducted to identify and register unlicensed businesses.Aligning with the CM’s focus on improving ease of living, the budget proposes several citizen-centric measures. A pedestrian crossing button system — allowing pedestrians to press a button to halt traffic signals for safe crossing — will be introduced as a pilot project on Nehru Path near Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park (gate number 1).Installation is expected to begin within a week. If successful, the model will be expanded to other locations. Other priorities include promotion of rainwater harvesting and construction of iconic gates at the city’s seven entry and exit points, to be named after historically and culturally significant figures, such as Samrat Ashok Dwar.Patna mayor Sita Sahu chaired the meeting in the presence of municipal commissioner Yashpal Meena, additional municipal commissioners Rajan Sinha and Krishna Swaroop, deputy mayor Reshmi Kumari, and members of the standing committee.
