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A disruption in the Maharashtra Legislative Council brought attention to pending dues of over INR 10,900 crore owed to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. The issue highlights rising financial stress on the civic body, which is handling liabilities exceeding INR 2.32 lakh crore while continuing major infrastructure spending. A large share of pending funds is from the education department, followed by housing and other agencies. The state government has assured phased payments with a small immediate release, but concerns remain over delays and the absence of a clear disbursal timeline.
A heated exchange took place in the Maharashtra Legislative Council after opposition members raised concerns about delays in releasing funds to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. The pending amount, now estimated at over INR 10,900 crore, has become a key issue amid the civic body's increasing financial commitments. Advertisement
The matter was raised by Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Sunil Shinde, who indicated that the corporation has taken on several large infrastructure and development projects in recent years. These include road works, stormwater drainage upgrades, and other urban improvements across Mumbai. As a result, its total liabilities have crossed INR 2.32 lakh crore. At the same time, revenue growth has remained limited, creating pressure on its financial planning.
Data presented in the council showed that pending dues have increased from around INR 9,700 crore in earlier years to nearly INR 10,900 crore at present. The largest share of this amount, about INR 7,241 crore, is owed by the state's education department. The housing department accounts for INR 934 crore, while dues from agencies such as the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority and district collectors together stand at INR 2,256 crore. Other departments contribute around INR 517 crore.
The government, in its response, indicated that the civic body had earlier explored monetisation measures to improve its financial position. This included plans to lease select land parcels on a long-term basis. A proposal involving a plot in Malabar Hill was later dropped due to operational challenges, while tenders have been issued for two other plots as part of ongoing efforts to generate revenue.
Minister Uday Samant informed the council that the pending funds would be released in phases. He indicated that an initial amount of about INR 64 crore would be disbursed immediately. However, opposition members pointed out that this amount is small compared to the total dues and expressed concern over the absence of a defined schedule for clearing the remaining balance.
The issue is significant given the scale of Mumbai's civic operations. The municipal corporation manages one of the largest budgets among urban local bodies in India, exceeding INR 80,000 crore in recent estimates. It continues to invest heavily in infrastructure while depending on property tax collections and state-linked funds. Delays in receiving dues can affect project execution, contractor payments, and routine civic services.
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