The Mahayuti alliance on Sunday rolled out an expansive manifesto for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, pitching technology-led governance to transform Mumbai into a “global powerhouse,” while also promising a 50 per cent fare concession for women on BEST buses and action to “free” the city from Bangladeshi migrants.
Unveiling the document, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the BJP–Shiv Sena–RPI (A) alliance would leverage cutting-edge technology, including artificial intelligence and Japanese urban solutions, to address long-standing civic challenges and deliver services directly to citizens through their mobile phones.
AI-Driven Governance, Corruption-Free BMC
At the heart of the manifesto is a push for artificial intelligence to improve transparency, speed up approvals and curb corruption in civic administration. Fadnavis said Mumbai had endured “25 years of inefficiency” and that the alliance was seeking a mandate to overhaul the system.
“Our goal is a corruption-free municipal corporation,” he said, outlining plans for a “Municipality on Your Mobile” initiative. An AI-powered platform would be introduced to fast-track building approvals and bring greater transparency to the real estate sector. The manifesto also promises AI labs in all municipal schools to equip students with future-ready skills.
Fadnavis added that technology would play a central role in service delivery, ensuring quicker clearances and reducing human discretion in key processes.
Transport Push, Migrant Issue
Transport and women’s safety feature prominently in the manifesto. The alliance has pledged to double the BEST bus fleet from around 5,000 to 10,000 vehicles, transition to electric buses and offer a 50 per cent concession on fares for women. New “midi” and “mini” bus services are planned to strengthen last-mile connectivity around Metro and suburban railway stations.
On illegal migration, Fadnavis said the alliance would take steps to identify Bangladeshi migrants. “We will free Mumbai of Bangladeshis and Rohingyas. With the help of IIT, we will develop an AI tool to identify Bangladeshi migrants,” he said.
The manifesto also commits Rs 17,000 crore to a climate action plan, with proposals for a circular economy framework. A “flood-free Mumbai” plan promises to eliminate inundation within five years by adopting Japanese techniques, constructing four new underground floodwater tanks, revamping drainage lines and fast-tracking the BRIMSTOWAD 2 project, with technical support from IIT and VJTI.
Healthcare and housing reforms form another key plank. Fadnavis said civic hospitals would be upgraded to AIIMS-level standards, alongside the launch of a digital health card to store the medical history of every Mumbaikar. Housing promises include a “Pagadimukt Mumbai” initiative, Occupancy Certificates for 20,000 stalled buildings and incentives for high-rises that adopt sustainable “Living Forest” practices.
Marathi Identity, Culture And Local Communities
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, speaking at the event, underlined the need to balance modernisation with the preservation of Marathi culture. He announced plans to set up a cultural department within the BMC to promote local art, heritage and traditions.
Shinde said Marathi libraries, cultural centres and a “Mumbai Fellowship” programme for Marathi youth would be launched. He also said the school syllabus would include the history of Mumbai and the Samyukta Maharashtra movement, and reiterated plans for the Hindu Hridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Medical University.
Highlighting the city’s original inhabitants, Shinde outlined redevelopment plans for ‘koliwadas’ and ‘gaothans’ aimed at protecting the identity and livelihoods of the Koli community and other indigenous groups.