Pune: PMC Budget 2026 Prioritises AI Governance, Data Centre And Smart Education Initiatives
Pune: PMC Budget 2026 Prioritises AI Governance, Data Centre And Smart Education Initiatives
Pune, March 24, 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has placed strong emphasis on digital governance in its 2026–27 budget, aiming to deliver faster, more transparent and citizen-friendly services through the use of advanced technology.
Presenting the budget, Standing Committee Chairman Shrinath Bhimale outlined plans to modernise civic administration and improve efficiency across departments.
A major highlight is the introduction of an AI-based grievance redressal system. The civic body plans to develop a centralised dashboard that will automatically route citizen complaints to the relevant departments. Each of the city’s 15 ward offices will have trained staff to manage the system, with weekly reviews to ensure quicker and more effective resolution of complaints.
To strengthen Pune’s position as a hub for business and events, PMC also plans to upgrade its convention centre infrastructure with modern facilities, enabling the city to host conferences, exhibitions and large-scale professional events.
The budget also focuses on boosting innovation and entrepreneurship through the establishment of a startup incubation centre and an innovation hub. These facilities will provide technical support, mentorship and infrastructure to young entrepreneurs, helping generate employment opportunities.
To enhance digital infrastructure, PMC has proposed setting up a state-of-the-art data centre to ensure faster, secure and uninterrupted digital services. Additionally, a dedicated digital portal will be developed to safeguard citizens’ personal data in line with data protection regulations.
A technology training centre will also be launched to equip municipal staff with skills in AI and e-governance systems, improving their ability to deliver modern services.
In the education sector, the civic body plans to introduce digital transformation in 75 municipal schools by installing smart TVs, high-speed internet and interactive learning modules.
Further, all municipal IT systems will undergo cyber security audits to strengthen data protection, encryption and access control mechanisms.
Officials said these initiatives are expected to simplify access to civic services, improve grievance handling, ensure data security and enhance digital learning, positioning Pune as a leading city in digital governance.
