The Telangana legislative assembly on Friday gave its nod to three crucial bills that pave the way for a significant expansion of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). The move legally sanctions the merger of 27 surrounding urban local bodies (ULBs), extending the civic body's limits up to the Outer Ring Road.
No Immediate Split or Tax Increase
During the assembly proceedings, IT and Legislative Affairs Minister D Sridhar Babu, speaking on behalf of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, provided key clarifications. He informed the House that no final decision has been made regarding proposals to split the expanded GHMC into two, three, or more separate municipal corporations.
Minister Babu stated that CM Revanth Reddy plans to convene a meeting with all public representatives from Greater Hyderabad. "Based on the feedback from this consultation, a decision will be taken on dividing the corporation," he explained. In a relief to residents, the minister also confirmed that there is presently no proposal to enhance property tax within the newly expanded corporation limits.
Objectives and Legal Framework of the Expansion
The primary goal behind this large-scale merger is to ensure improved and uniform delivery of essential services across a wider Hyderabad. The government aims to provide:
- Better civic infrastructure and water supply.
- An enhanced drainage network.
- Sustainable development and a pollution-free city.
- Efficient and standardized service delivery to all citizens.
The three bills passed by the assembly are:
- The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 (Telangana Ordinance No.9 of 2025).
- The Telangana Municipalities (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 (Telangana Ordinance No.10 of 2025).
- The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 (Telangana Ordinance No.11 of 2025).
Babu clarified that ordinances were initially issued to expedite the process because the state government had to adhere to a directive from the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. The directive required freezing ward and constituency boundaries before December 31, 2025. The expansion increases the number of wards from 150 to 300, forming 12 zones and 60 circles.
Addressing Pollution and Administrative Readiness
Responding to concerns about the city's air quality, the minister outlined steps to make the CURE area a pollution-free zone. These measures include promoting electric vehicles (EVs) and planning a 360-degree expansion of the Hyderabad Metro Rail by taking over the project from L&T. The government is also focusing on appointing adequate staff for all new circles and wards and planning resource mobilisation strategies.
On the administrative front, eight zonal commissioners and two IAS officers have already been appointed to manage Hyderabad's administration. Minister Babu assured legislators from the BRS, BJP, and AIMIM that any issues related to wards or other matters in the expanded GHMC would be resolved effectively.
In a political remark, Sridhar Babu accused the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre of undermining the MNREGA scheme. He challenged BJP members in the House to urge the central government to introduce a similar employment guarantee scheme for urban areas.
