Telangana sends draft bills to Governor for Greater Hyderabad civic merger
Hyderabad: The Telangana Municipal Administration Department sent two draft bills to the Governor on Saturday, seeking approval to merge 27 urban local bodies into the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). Officials routed the documents through the Law Department. Sources say the Governor may approve the bills by Monday, clearing the way for the government to issue ordinances formalising the merger.
The state cabinet has already approved this large-scale integration. It involves 20 municipalities and 7 municipal corporations on Hyderabad’s outskirts. If implemented, GHMC’s area will grow from 625 sq km to over 2,000 sq km, making it India’s largest civic body by area. To carry out this expansion, the government plans to denotify the existing bodies and amend the GHMC Act.
The proposed move has sparked political debate. Many of these local bodies were created after earlier GHMC expansions. Now, merging them back into the GHMC has raised concerns. Government officials argue the change will improve planning, disaster response, and infrastructure development. They say rapid urban migration has made it harder for smaller civic bodies to manage resources and deliver services effectively.
Uniform staff pay and ward restructuring raise political concerns
The merger promises standardised pay and service terms for all municipal employees under GHMC. This change could ease concerns among staff from the merging bodies. However, the political impact is more contentious. Chairpersons in 20 municipalities and mayors in 7 corporations will lose their current roles.
The shift will also reshape voter representation. Currently, one ward member represents 5,000 to 15,000 voters. After the merger, that number may rise to 35,000–50,000. Critics argue this will limit grassroots leadership and reduce political opportunities for new entrants. Others fear a rise in taxes. But officials insist additional revenue from the expanded GHMC would offset this burden.
The plan has triggered speculation about administrative restructuring. Some believe GHMC might split into two or three new corporations, possibly along North-South lines divided by the Musi River. Others expect the city to stay unified but with more zones and circles – up from 6 to 10 zones and 30 to 50 circles. The state may also add 100 new electoral divisions to cover the expanded area.
Agencies like the Hyderabad Water Board and HYDRA already operate up to the Outer Ring Road. Officials argue aligning GHMC’s limits with these bodies will improve coordination and service delivery. Still, the state has not yet confirmed whether it will retain GHMC as one entity or divide it in future.