Agartala, April 23: Presenting a vision for the city’s development, Mayor Dipak Majumdar on Wednesday tabled the Agartala Municipal Corporation’s budget for the financial year 2025–26, highlighting a total projected revenue and capital income of ₹475.83 crore and an approved expenditure of ₹476.55 crore, leaving a budget deficit of ₹72.02 lakh.
The budget was presented at the Corporation’s conference hall, with the Mayor seeking active participation and cooperation from citizens to fulfill the vision of a better Agartala. For the financial year 2024–25, the total revenue and capital income had been pegged at ₹415.97 crore while the approved expenditure stood at ₹416.74 crore, resulting in a deficit of ₹76.75 lakh. Compared to the previous year, the proposed income and expenditure have increased by ₹59.86 crore and ₹59.81 crore respectively. The rise in spending has been attributed to several new development projects undertaken for the upcoming fiscal year.
The anticipated deficit of ₹72.02 lakh is expected to be bridged through the Corporation’s own revenue sources and government aid. This year’s budget could be made possible due to increased revenue and non-revenue earnings of the Corporation, as well as grants from the 15th Finance Commission, the state government’s share of taxes, and funding under various schemes including TULM, SBM, PMAY-Urban, Special Fund, Smart City Mission, MYS, and NULM.
Expenditures outlined in the budget include salaries and wages for employees and laborers, fuel, institutional and service-related expenses, and several capital expenditures for infrastructure development across municipal areas. The Mayor also cited various works completed in previous years as proof of AMC’s effective functioning.
These include creation of waterbodies, construction of new roads, culverts, drains, public toilets, parks, crematoriums, and municipal markets. High-capacity street lighting has been installed at key locations across the city for enhancing public safety. For 2025–26, the Corporation is focusing on several ambitious projects.
Among them, three new flood pump houses will be constructed at Shakuntala Road, Ramnagar 4, and Satsang Ashram areas at a cost of ₹28 crore, while an additional ₹4 crore will be used to install new flood pumps and drainage pipelines. An ultra-modern slaughterhouse will be constructed at Durga Chowmuhani market at a cost of ₹56 lakh.
In extended municipal areas, ₹5 crore will be spent on new electric lines, roads, and drains. Another ₹5 crore has been allocated for constructing new ward offices. An allocation of ₹3.3 crore will be used for installing electric furnaces at three crematoriums in the city. Additionally, ₹17 crore has been earmarked for beautification and reconstruction of five major waterbodies Shiv Bari, Rishi Colony in Pratapgarh, Abhoynagar Market, Abhoynagar Veterinary Hospital, and Radhanagar Pukur. Apart from Tripura Jal Board’s initiatives, AMC has proposed ₹11 crore to improve the city’s drinking water supply. To intensify mosquito control efforts, a fivefold increase in budget has been proposed for purchasing fogging machines and insecticides. In a significant healthcare move, AMC plans to establish a 50-bed “Agartala Civil Hospital” on its own land near the Junction Gate area at an estimated cost of ₹10 crore. Of this, ₹5 crore will go toward construction and the remaining ₹5 crore will be spent on procuring medical equipment.
The proposed hospital will offer 24×7 OPD services and ensure supply of necessary medicines to patients. The budget also includes a new initiative “Bharat Mata Canteen cum Night Shelter” which will provide overnight shelter and subsidized meals to the urban poor. ₹2 crore has been allocated for the project, and land has already been identified for its implementation.
The state government has also approved construction of permanent market buildings in GB Bazar, Battala, Akhaura Gol Chakkar, and Lake Chowmuhani areas. Looking to the future, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has assured financial assistance of ₹1,200 crore to AMC for widespread infrastructure development, including roads, lanes, drains, and culverts.
On urban housing, the Mayor informed that Tripura Building Rules, 2017 remain in effect for house construction in AMC areas. While applicants previously had to apply online manually, a new Auto-DCR system has now been implemented, and all engineers have been given necessary training to operate under this system. Mayor Majumdar concluded the budget presentation by calling upon citizens to actively participate and cooperate in realizing Agartala’s growth and transformation.
