For the first time ever, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announced to start a separate green budget every year. This development takes place as the city is reeling under the threat of poor pollution and deteriorating air quality index levels.
However, as the climate budget is currently being developed, the civic body has not listed measures to combat the issue.
The BMC chief Iqbal Singh Chahal this year has stated that the civic body is set to publish a ‘Green Budget Book’. Currently, they are yet to start the process and therefore, it will be launched and presented by next year, i.e 2025.
Waatavaran Foundation founder Bhagwan Kesbhat exclaimed: “A dedicated climate budget is surely a step in the right direction and will also serve as an example for many states and civic bodies across India to follow. While BMC seems to have finally begun focusing its attention towards the crucial issue of tackling air pollution, it needs to push for more long-term measures and concentrate on reduction at source. Implementing norms and monitoring the results through sensor-based network ward wise will deliver effective results. The step towards increasing the number of e-buses in the fleet of BEST will also play a crucial role.”
The book will have initiatives like developing gardens, implementing MCAP strategies along with projects like Renewable Hybrid Energy and waste to energy plans. This will have initiative for systematically reducing emissions and enhancing climate resilience.
Rishi Aggarwal, Founder Director, Mumbai Sustainability Centre reiterated: “The budget clearly highlights the discrepancy between what the richest civic body claims and the reality observed by the public. It asserts that the civic body has made progress in tackling air pollution, yet much remains to be accomplished on the ground. While the BMC's initiative to allocate a dedicated Climate budget is commendable, the major challenge lies in its failure to sensitise key departments, including Roads and Gardens, to adopt environmentally sustainable practices. Moreover, this budget yet again disappoints pedestrians, as it lacks a dedicated focus on Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) or pedestrian-focused infrastructure, which could significantly reduce emissions.”
While there was no mention of separate funds for the environment department was made in the budget document, an official later stated that an allocation of INR 25 crore — akin to previous year — has been made this year as well.
Speaking on last year’s climate plans, senior officials said that special efforts had been taken to achieve ‘net zero’ goal. Notable achievements include the issuance of MAPMP, the establishment of task forces at ward level and the enforcement of construction guidelines featuring measures like dust screens and water sprinkling, said officials.
Sumaira Abdulali, Convener, Awaaz Foundation explains: “The budget reminds us that environment and pollution have been a priority for the previous two years. Though, this decision seems to be delayed. The measures undertaken to prevent air pollution, though effective when implemented, remain problematic as cement mixers continue to operate on roadsides, garbage continues to be burned, and the green netting ordered on construction sites to prevent blowing of dust is already wearing at some sites.
The ‘Garden’ works plan to develop gardens across the city, but mention only two gardens undertaken for greening; meanwhile, the funds for gardens are slashed by half and trees are being cut in large numbers for every development project, adversely affecting the environment.”
It is pertinent to note that the plan which aimed to install 14 smog towers — two towers each in the seven areas — to purify the air within a one-kilometer radius is yet to see the light of the day. However, one year on the civic body is still studying the mechanism and evaluating the best way to implement the system in the city.
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