After a gap of 267 days, the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (HMC) is set to convene again as Mayor Kashif Shoro has summoned a budget session for Tuesday at the Mumtaz Mirza Auditorium. Council Officer Faiza Akram issued a four-point agenda on the mayor's instructions.
Ratification of Previous Proceedings
The long-delayed meeting will first ratify the proceedings of the last budget session held eight months and 24 days ago. This procedural step is essential to validate the previous financial decisions and move forward with new budgetary proposals.
Budget Presentation
The mayor will then present revised estimates for the fiscal year 2025-26 and the new budget for 2026-27. HMC has projected income of Rs6.301 billion against expenditures of Rs6.300 billion, leaving a surplus of Rs600,000. This balanced budget reflects the corporation's efforts to maintain fiscal discipline despite financial constraints.
Focus on Development Projects
The biggest chunk of the session will focus on development. Tenders worth Rs601.431 million for 16 schemes under the Sindh Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (SPPRA) rules will be tabled for approval. Major projects include Rs138 million for an overhead pedestrian bridge with a motorcycle ramp at D-Park, Rs85 million for streets and drains in Tando Fazal, Rs80 million for Tando Jam, and Rs70 million for the Hostry Check Post to Phuleli Bridge road via Bahar Colony.
Other allocations include Rs60 million each for Qasimabad and Nerun Kot, Rs40 million for Latifabad, Rs20 million for Hussainabad, and Rs4.431 million for the boundary wall of Niaz Stadium parking. Notably, no new schemes have been proposed for TMCs Mian Sarfaraz and Preetabad.
Additionally, Rs150 million has been earmarked for CC paving and drains in various union committees, though specific details were not provided in the agenda.
Street Light Projects and Fire Brigade Approvals
The agenda also seeks administrative approval for nine completed street light projects across the city, covering routes from Auto Bhan to Bhattai Hospital, Mahmood Garden to Shaheed Chowk, and Kohsar Phase-1 to Khuda Hafiz Chowk, among others. These projects aim to improve public safety and infrastructure.
Approval for fire brigade equipment, vehicle repairs, and uniforms has been included, with the cost to be determined "as per market rate." This flexible costing allows for adjustments based on current prices.
Omission of Traditional Agenda Item
Interestingly, the traditional agenda item "Any other matter with permission of the Mayor" has been omitted this time. This change streamlines the session by focusing only on pre-listed items, potentially reducing the scope for last-minute additions.
