In the financial year 2025-26, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) faced significant challenges in utilizing its environment budget, with only 27% of the originally allocated ₹113 crore spent. Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator Sachin Padwal highlighted that ₹31.16 crore lapsed due to staffing shortages, infrastructure gaps, and procedural delays, raising alarms over worsening air quality in Mumbai. BMC officials countered that the budget was revised to ₹76.15 crore, of which 50% was utilized, attributing underspending to the department's recent establishment in April 2024 and acute manpower shortages, with only nine officials initially available. They noted improvements in staffing to 29 personnel and acknowledged infrastructure limitations affecting project implementation. For the upcoming financial year 2026-27, BMC has increased its budget allocation to ₹159 crore to enhance environmental initiatives and address incomplete projects. However, civic activist Zoru Bhathena criticized BMC's approach, arguing that limited spending on environmental measures is insufficient to tackle the ecological damage in Mumbai.