The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has planned to spend 10 percent of its capital, operation and maintenance expenditure on green infrastructure. Officials claim that it is a unique initiative in the country to propose a ‘green budget’.
SMC has earmarked Rs 450 crore for 2023-24 for green initiatives of the proposed Rs 3,519 crore for capital expenditure and Rs 1,000 crore for operation and maintenance expenditure.
Among the major focus areas, Tapi cleaning is the biggest for which a budget of Rs 255 crore of Rs 450 crore has been allocated. An environment cell will be working for this.
To generate funds for the green initiatives, SMC will also launch Rs 100 crore Green Municipal Bonds. Other major green initiatives include increasing the use of electric vehicles (EV) by the SMC and promoting the use of EVs by residents.
The city currently has 150 EV buses and 150 more will be added during this year. After starting 25 public charging stations last year, the civic body will take the number to 100 stations this year.
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