The formal expansion of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has been completed, setting the stage for crucial decisions about its future governance and the timing of civic polls. The focus now shifts to whether Hyderabad will function under a single, massive municipal corporation or be divided into smaller, more manageable units.
The New Shape of GHMC: A Colossal Civic Entity
Following the restructuring, the GHMC now encompasses a vast area of approximately 2,050 square kilometres. This expanded territory is organized into 300 divisions, 12 zones, and 60 circles. This consolidation makes it the largest municipal corporation in India by area, a status that the state government, under Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, is reportedly keen to maintain.
Despite the completion of the merger, the state government has not yet clarified the final administrative structure. The core question remains: will the city within the Outer Ring Road continue as one unified 'Greater City Corporation' or be split into two or three separate civic bodies?
Political Calculus and Administrative Vision
Sources within the government indicate that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is inclined to keep the expanded GHMC as a single, unified entity. The current council's term ends in February 2026, and elections are likely to be held around that time for the enlarged corporation.
There are strong political undercurrents influencing this decision. A senior Congress leader within the GHMC explained the strategic thinking: if the corporation is split into two or three bodies, opposition parties like the BRS or BJP could potentially win control of one or more based on their localized strength. However, with 300 divisions under one umbrella, the Congress believes its chances of securing the overall GHMC are higher, even if it loses some individual divisions to rivals.
Administratively, proponents of a unified body argue it ensures better coordination and uniformity in urban development across the entire metropolitan region. Last year, the Chief Minister had explored models for splitting the city. The Administrative Staff College of India, along with municipal officials, had prepared proposals showing that three corporations would each cover about 600-650 sq km, while two would span roughly 1,000 sq km each.
The Path Forward: Amendments and Election Preparations
With the merger process finalized and no active discussion on a split for the past seven to eight months, the momentum appears to favour a single corporation. Congress leaders and corporators are now preparing to contest the GHMC elections in February 2026 in its current, expanded format.
The state government is expected to introduce amendments to the GHMC Act, 2007, and related laws in the upcoming assembly sessions to formalize the new structure. Following this, the government may request the State Election Commission to begin preparations for the civic polls.
Senior municipal administration officials have stated that there is presently no proposal to divide the GHMC. They added that even if a decision to split is taken later, it can be executed administratively by transferring zones and circles into new corporations. The AIMIM, a significant political player in the city's core, has consistently advocated for the GHMC to remain intact without disturbing its central areas.
The coming months will be critical as Hyderabad navigates its transformation into one of the world's largest unified municipal jurisdictions, balancing administrative efficiency with complex political realities.
