Surat: The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) commissioner on Wednesday presented a draft budget of ₹9,603 crore for the financial year 2025-26, marking an increase of ₹730 crore from the previous year. However, despite the budget hike, no increase has been proposed in taxes or user charges, with a revenue target set at ₹5,500 crore.

Presenting the budget, Municipal Commissioner Shalini Agarwal stated that this is the largest budget ever presented by the civic body without raising taxes or user charges.

For the Tapi Shuddhikaran Project, which is set to conclude in 2025-26, an allocation of ₹25 crore has been proposed in this year’s draft budget. As part of the project, which falls within SMC and SUDA limits, the city has developed a 195 km drainage network, a 41 km rising line, 23 sewage pumping stations, and 11 sewage treatment plants.

Additionally, ₹75 crore has been allocated for the Creek Embankment Project. Recognized as the “City of Bridges,” Surat has received an allocation of ₹130 crore for bridge construction across the city. One of the major projects under this plan includes the construction of a flyover near Rahul Raj Mall as part of the barrage project.

A ₹700 crore project has also been proposed for building a 1,100-meter-long protection wall along the Bhedwad rivulet. DeshGujarat