Chairperson of Taxation and Finance Committee of Tiruchi Corporation T. Muthuselvam presenting the budget on Thursday. Mayor M. Anbazhagan is at right.
| Photo Credit: M. MOORTHY
With a focus on strengthening major canals to mitigate flooding during the monsoon, the Budget of Tiruchi City Corporation for the financial year 2026-27 was presented on Thursday, outlining flood management measures across the city.The budget projects the civic body’s total revenue at ₹1,248.37 crore and expenditure at ₹1,355.12 crore, with a deficit of ₹106.75 crore. Of the total revenue, 42.31% has been earmarked for salary payments. As per the revenue and expenditure statements, the Corporation has presented a deficit budget this year.Chairperson of Taxation and Finance Committee T. Muthuselvam presented the budget. Mayor M. Anbazhagan, Deputy Mayor G. Divya, and Corporation Commissioner L. Madhubalan were present.Giving priority to flood mitigation, the civic body has proposed a revamp of major drainage infrastructure. A sum of ₹100 crore has been allocated to strengthen key drains to reduce water stagnation in low-lying areas prone to inundation during heavy rainfall. Another ₹100 crore has been earmarked for redeveloping sewage pumping stations. Additionally, ₹32.50 crore has been set aside for constructing 52 km of new storm-water drains and improving existing drains across the city. To secure drinking water supply, ₹60 crore has been allocated to enhance the water source at Kollidam.A total of ₹72.03 crore has been earmarked under the Tamil Nadu Urban Road Infrastructure Project (TURIF), State Finance Commission, and Corporation General Funds for redeveloping roads that have been dug up for ongoing underground drainage work and upgrading cement concrete roads in the city.Among the prominent proposals are the construction of a Corporation office building at ₹75 crore, expansion of third and fourth phases of 9.60 MW solar power plant at Panjapur on 30 acres at ₹65 crore, and a 7.20 MW solar plant on 16.54 acres at ₹49 crore, respectively. Development of Miyawaki forests at 10 locations at ₹1.50 crore each, totalling ₹15 crore, and creating new roadside parks in each zone at a cost of ₹5 crore.A sum of ₹2 crore for the procurement of five water sprinkler vehicles and two dog-catching vehicles at ₹30 lakh has been made. Other proposals include virtual reality labs in 10 Corporation-run schools, installation of speed-breakers with reflectors and medians at ₹2 crore, new street name boards at ₹1 crore, to replace 20W street lights with 40W LED lights at ₹2 crore, and installing heritage lamps at ₹10 crore.Plans are on to beautify the Mannarpuram roundabout and create recreational space around Rockfort Teppakulam with decorative lighting, seating arrangements, and a walking track under CSR funds.Resource mobilisationMayor M. Anbazhagan said the Corporation plans to offset the deficit by collecting deposits for underground drainage connections. “So far, 85,000 household connections have been given, and around 1.15 lakh connections are pending. These are expected to be commissioned by June,” he told The Hindu.Earlier, AIADMK councillors K. Ambikapathy (Ward 65) and C. Aravindan (Ward 14) staged a walkout, stating that their requests over the past four years had not been taken into consideration. Published - February 26, 2026 08:27 pm IST
