What is the story about?
The ruling Mahayuti alliance on Sunday unveiled heir manifesto for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, pitching it as a blueprint to reshape
Mumbai’s everyday life while addressing some of the city’s most persistent civic pain points. Rolled out with considerable political heft, the document was released in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale.
Five-Year Water Freeze, Big Push On Civic Relief
At the heart of the manifesto are promises aimed squarely at easing the financial strain on ordinary Mumbaikars. The alliance has pledged a five-year freeze on water charges, a move likely to resonate in a city where civic levies remain a constant grievance. It has also promised to complete long delayed water supply projects such as Gargai, Pinjal and Damanganga within the next five years, alongside committing Rs 17,000 crore towards environmental conservation initiatives.
Also Read | BMC Election 2026: Full Schedule, Voting Day And Time, Results Date And Other Key Details
‘Prepared With People’s Inputs’: Shinde
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said the manifesto was not drafted in isolation. “The document was prepared after considering suggestions from nearly two lakh residents,” he said, adding that the alliance intended to form the civic body after the January 15 polls and deliver visible change in people’s daily lives. Shinde also underlined that development would go hand in hand with safeguarding Marathi culture and identity.
#WATCH | Mumbai: Mahrashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, along with Deputy CM Eknath Shinde and BJP National General Secretary Vinod Tawde launch Mahayuti's manifesto for BMC elections. pic.twitter.com/Tl03IaysSB
— ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2026
Slum-Free Mumbai And Massive Housing Promise
Housing and urban renewal form another central pillar of the manifesto. The Mahayuti alliance has promised to work towards a slum free Mumbai by constructing between 20 and 35 lakh homes, fast tracking stalled redevelopment projects and delivering houses of up to 350 sq ft within Dharavi itself as part of the redevelopment plan. The manifesto also speaks of pushing policies aimed at a rent free pagdi mukt Mumbai and resolving long standing funnel zone issues that have choked redevelopment across large parts of the city.
Also Read | Thanos Joins Congress, Iron Man Backs BJP: BMC Polls Go Viral With AI Twist - WATCH
Electric Buses, Women’s Fare Concession
Public transport and mobility have been given prominent attention. The alliance has committed to making BEST fully electric by 2029 and doubling its fleet from 5,000 to 10,000 buses. A headline welfare promise is a 50 per cent fare concession for women on BEST buses, coupled with interest free loans of up to Rs 5 lakh for women to promote self employment and small enterprises.
Markets, Startups And Jobs Push
Beyond core civic services, the manifesto lays out a broad social and economic vision. It promises cold storage facilities for fish vendors in BMC markets, renovation and redevelopment of vegetable markets, fish import and export centres, and a startup incubation hub. A 2034 development plan for Mumbai has also been proposed to guide the city’s long term growth.
Also Read | Mumbai’s Richest Candidates for BMC Polls 2026: A Look into Their Backgrounds
Marathi Identity And Cultural Revival
Cultural commitments feature strongly as well. The alliance has pledged a separate Marathi language department within the civic body, Marathi art centres and libraries, special programmes for Marathi youth to mark Balasaheb Thackeray’s birth centenary, and redevelopment of theatres on the lines of Ravindra Natya Mandir, with three new theatres if required.
Rounding off the manifesto are promises of a dedicated tourism department, a world class museum at Hutatma Chowk, and a drive to make Mumbai free of illegal Rohingya and Bangladeshi immigrants.
