Surat: The Surat Municipal Corporation’s draft budget for 2026-27, for Rs 10,593 crore, was presented by municipal commissioner M Nagrajan on Tuesday. The budget focuses on capital expenditure with an allocation of Rs 5,073 crore, Rs 1,416 crore higher than last year. No increase in taxes or charges was proposed.“A key highlight was that we did not increase taxes, yet we are targeting Rs 5,073 crore in capital expenditure, much higher than last year’s Rs 3,657 crore. We are in a position to undertake development projects,” said M Nagrajan, municipal commissioner.“It is a Rs 257 crore revenue surplus budget. The projects planned are a step further towards make Surat a world-class city,” Nagrajan added.Among the major projects in the city are the riverfront development, Rundh Bhatha barrage, river embankment, the Dumas seaface project and SMC’s new administrative building.Phase 1 of the riverfront project includes construction of embankments along both banks of the Tapi from the Rundh-Bhatha barrage to Kathor Bridge, spanning 33km, and development of amenities along an approximately 10-km stretch from the barrage to Singanpore Weir. In Phase 2, amenities will be developed along a 23-km stretch from the weir-cum-causeway to Kathor Bridge.On the left bank of the Tapi, from the barrage to Sardar Bridge, riverfront development work will be taken along 4,800m and stormwater drain interceptor works for about 5,826m.For the Rundh-Bhatha barrage, clearances were obtained from various departments. The coffer dam design was approved by the Central Water Commission and work will begin shortly. The barrage design proof-checking by CWC is in progress. As part of the package, work on the near Rahulraj Mall is in progress. In the current financial year 2025-26, Rs 150 crore will be spent on this project.In the Dumas seaface project, Zone 1 covering 10.32 hectares has infrastructure being developed at a cost of Rs 174 crore, and 82% of the work is complete. In Zone 2, covering 2.54 hectares, infrastructure is being developed at a cost of Rs 83.44 crore with 45% of the work being completed.
