Hyderabad: In a major administrative restructuring, the Telangana government on Wednesday (February 11, 2026) announced the division of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) into three separate municipal corporations. The decision was formalised through a series of three government orders and came into immediate effect.
Three New Municipal Corporations
Under the reorganisation, areas within the Hyderabad Outer Ring Road will now be governed by three distinct civic bodies:
Cyberabad Municipal Corporation: Comprising the Serilingampally, Kukatpally, and Qutbullapur zones.
Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation: Covering the Malkajgiri, Uppal, and L.B. Nagar zones.
Restructured Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC): Encompassing the remaining areas, including Shamshabad, Rajendranagar, Charminar, Golconda, Khairatabad, and Secunderabad zones.
Appointment of Commissioners
Through a separate Government Order (G.O.), the state government announced the following appointments:
R.V. Karnan will continue as Commissioner of the restructured GHMC.
G. Srijana, Additional Commissioner, GHMC, has been transferred and appointed as Commissioner of the Cyberabad Municipal Corporation.
T. Vinay Krishna Reddy, Additional Commissioner, GHMC, has been transferred and appointed as Commissioner of the Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation.
Legal Framework and Administration
According to the official notification, each newly constituted municipal corporation will function independently with perpetual succession and a common seal. All three corporations will operate under the provisions of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Act, 1955.
The reorganisation order was signed by Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary to the Metropolitan Area & Urban Development Department. In a related development, Mr. Ranjan has also been appointed as Special Officer for all three municipal corporations, as per a separate government order signed by Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao.
The Union government will take a decision on releasing funds for Phase II of the Hyderabad Metro Rail project only after the Telangana government concludes its discussions with L&T on the proposed Phase I merger through the designated committee and arrives at a final decision, Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy said on Sunday.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy said the Telangana government must first clarify its position on Hyderabad Metro Rail Phase I, complete all formalities related to its proposed takeover, and submit a comprehensive Detailed Project Report (DPR) before any financial assistance can be considered.
Mr. Kishan Reddy further stated that the Union Housing and Urban Development Ministry has earmarked ₹28,740 crore for MRTS and Metro Rail projects, assuring that sufficient funds are available to meet the Centre’s share for Hyderabad Metro Phase II once the required conditions are fulfilled.
Benefits to Telangana
Highlighting the benefits extended to Telangana in the Union Budget, the Secunderabad MP said the State’s share in Central taxes has been increased by 13.5%, rising to ₹33,180 crore for 2026–27 from ₹29,280 crore in the previous year.
He described the proposed high-speed rail corridors from Hyderabad to Pune, Bengaluru, and Chennai as a “matter of pride” for Telangana. Additionally, he noted that fertiliser subsidies have been enhanced by nearly ₹7,000 crore.
Mr. Kishan Reddy also pointed out that the TEX-ECO programme would support the development of the Kakatiya Mega Textile Park in Warangal, while a girls’ hostel would be established in every district to benefit students pursuing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Medicine) courses.
Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy welcomed the Centre’s proposal on municipal bonds, under which cities issuing bonds worth over ₹1,000 crore will receive an incentive of ₹100 crore. He added that nearly 32 towns in Telangana will continue to benefit from the existing ₹200-crore incentive under the AMRUT scheme.
Mr. Kishan Reddy also said that around 38 lakh micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Telangana are expected to benefit from the ₹10,000-crore growth fund announced in the Union Budget. Describing it as a Budget designed for future generations, he said it was focused on long-term development rather than electoral considerations.
Earlier, Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao termed the announcement of high-speed rail corridors from Hyderabad a moment of pride, noting that it further reinforces the State’s position as a national growth engine.
Speaking at the BJP State office after watching the Budget presentation, Mr. Rao described it as a “transformative Budget” that lays the groundwork for a golden era—taking the nation from economic strength to national capability and from uplifting the poorest to achieving inclusive growth.
He said the Budget provides a strong foundation for employment generation, improved agricultural productivity, enhanced purchasing power, and the expansion of quality education and healthcare services. Mr. Rao expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for presenting a people-centric Budget that addresses the needs of all sections of society.
Hyderabad: The Telangana State government is considering restructuring the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) by splitting it into three separate municipal corporations, each comprising 100 wards. The proposal is expected to be finalised by the end of January, with elections likely to be held in April–May.
According to sources in the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) department, authorities are evaluating multiple models, including forming either three corporations with 100 wards each or one corporation with 150 wards and two with 75 wards each.
GHMC officials have already submitted geographical data and maps for all 300 wards, whose boundaries are fixed. As per preliminary plans, the proposed civic bodies may be:
Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation – 100 wards
Greater Secunderabad Municipal Corporation – 100 wards
Greater Cyberabad Municipal Corporation – 100 wards
Each municipal corporation would have 20 circles and five zones, with four circles per zone. An IAS officer of secretary rank would be appointed as commissioner for each corporation, and the new setup would result in three mayors.
GHMC Commissioner R.V. Karnan stated that the move aligns with the recent formation of new police commissionerates and may be announced simultaneously, based on the existing 300 GHMC wards.
A final notification is expected by January-end, paving the way for civic elections in April–May.
Hyderabad, January 2026 – Hyderabad has quietly transformed into India’s tallest urban center, outpacing Gurugram, Bengaluru, Noida, Pune, and Kolkata in skyscraper development. Over the past decade, the city has witnessed an unprecedented surge in high-rise residential and commercial towers, reshaping its skyline and redefining urban density in India.
The rapid vertical expansion is largely concentrated along the IT corridor, stretching from Gachibowli to Kokapet and the Financial District. Factors driving this growth include liberal floor space index norms, faster approvals, large land parcels, and sustained demand from IT professionals and investors. Today, luxury towers soaring 40 to 50+ floors dominate the cityscape, a stark contrast to Hyderabad’s traditional image of old bazaars and sprawling low-rise neighborhoods.
Unlike other major metros, Hyderabad’s high-rises are built in cohesive clusters, creating a continuous skyline rather than scattered pockets of development. This approach has allowed the city to expand vertically without severe land fragmentation, giving it a modern, organized aesthetic.
In comparison, Gurugram and Noida, though known for high-rise living, face regulatory hurdles, infrastructure constraints, and disjointed planning, limiting the overall vertical scale of their skylines. Bengaluru, India’s tech capital, continues to grow horizontally due to airport restrictions, strict zoning rules, and civic resistance, resulting in a predominantly mid-rise cityscape. Pune and Kolkata also lag behind in terms of concentrated high-rise development.
Hyderabad’s rise as a vertical city signals a new era in urban planning, emphasizing denser living, modern infrastructure, and luxury real estate. With its towering glass-clad structures, the city now tells a story very different from its historical past — a story of ambition, growth, and the future of urban India.
With the completion of the delimitation exercise, the expanded Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has emerged as the largest municipal corporation in the country.
Hyderabad: The Telangana government on Thursday completed the long-pending reorganisation of GHMC divisions, a move aimed at enhancing governance and improving service delivery across the rapidly expanding metropolitan region.
GHMC Commissioner R.V. Karnan issued the final notification, formally concluding the division bifurcation and zonal reorganisation process.
Simultaneously, the government released G.O. Ms. No. 292, outlining the newly restructured zones, circles, and divisions under the GHMC framework.
New Governance Architecture for the City
Under the revised administrative framework, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) will now operate through 12 zones and 60 circles, replacing the earlier six-zone structure. The reorganisation is aimed at improving administrative efficiency, promoting decentralised decision-making, and enhancing the delivery of civic services across the city.
Previously, GHMC comprised six zones—LB Nagar, Charminar, Serilingampally, Khairatabad, Kukatpally, and Secunderabad. As part of the restructuring, six new zones have been added: Malkajgiri, Uppal, Shamshabad, Rajendranagar, Golconda, and Quthbullapur, expanding the governance framework to better manage the city’s growing metropolitan footprint.
Each zone will comprise a minimum of four and a maximum of seven circles, depending on population and geographical spread.
Special Chief Secretary Post Created
In a significant administrative development, the Telangana government has created a new post of Special Chief Secretary, Metropolitan Area and Urban Development (within HMDA limits) to oversee the developmental needs of Hyderabad and the broader metropolitan region.
Senior IAS officer Jayesh Ranjan has been appointed to the newly created position. The role is expected to provide focused leadership and ensure coordinated planning for urban infrastructure, growth management, and overall metropolitan development within the HMDA jurisdiction.
Zonal Commissioners Appointed
Following the completion of the reorganisation, the Telangana government has appointed IAS officers as Zonal Commissioners for the newly created zones, ensuring that the restructured administrative units become operational without delay.
Zonal Commissioners Appointed
The Telangana government has appointed IAS officers as Zonal Commissioners for all 12 GHMC zones to ensure a smooth transition following the administrative reorganisation.
The newly appointed Zonal Commissioners are:
Bhorkhade Hemant Sahadeorao – Serilingampally
Apurv Chauhan – Kukatpally
Sandeep Kumar Jha – Quthbullapur
S. Srinivas Reddy – Charminar
G. Mukunda Reddy – Golconda
Priyanka Ala – Khairatabad
Anuraag Jayanti – Rajendranagar
N. Ravi Kiran – Secunderabad
K. Chandrakala – Shamshabad
Hemanta Keshav Patil – LB Nagar
Sanchit Gangwar – Malkajgiri
Radhika Gupta – Uppal
Officials stated that the swift appointment of Zonal Commissioners would help maintain continuity in governance and ensure the new administrative units become fully functional without delay.
‘No Disruption to Civic Administration’
GHMC Commissioner R.V. Karnan said the newly appointed Zonal Commissioners would assume charge immediately. He assured that all necessary arrangements had been made to ensure civic administration and essential public services continue uninterrupted during the transition.
Public Objections Examined
Before finalising the reorganisation, GHMC invited objections and suggestions from the public for nearly two weeks. After reviewing the representations received, authorities revised the boundaries and names of several divisions to address concerns raised by residents and other stakeholders.
Scale of the Reorganisation
Divisions renamed: 30
Divisions with boundary changes: 104
GHMC’s current administrative spread now covers:
Districts (fully/partially): 5
Mandals: 47
Villages: 311
Parliamentary constituencies: 6
Assembly constituencies: 28
“The comprehensive overhaul of GHMC’s administrative structure, along with the creation of a dedicated metropolitan-level leadership post, is expected to strengthen urban governance and support Hyderabad’s rapid growth in the coming years,” Commissioner Karnan said.
In a sharp rebuke on Tuesday, the Telangana High Court questioned the actions of HYDRAA after it carried out pre-dawn demolitions inside the Fertilisers Corporation of India (FCI) Housing Society in Gachibowli. The court raised serious doubts about the urgency, legality, and jurisdiction of the operation—especially since it appeared to go against earlier judicial directions.
Why Did HYDRAA Enter a Private Colony?
Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy grilled the agency on why it entered the private housing society at all, noting that the disputed land neither fell under a lake’s full tank level nor belonged to the government. The demolished structures belonged to Sandhya Conventions and its sister units owned by S. Sridhar Rao, located in Survey Nos. 122, 123, 124, and 127.
Adding to the confusion, both GHMC and HYDRAA had previously issued no-objection certificates for these buildings.
Internal Roads Issue: Who Has the Authority?
When the state argued that the constructions had encroached on internal colony roads, the judge pushed back—asking whether HYDRAA or the survey department had the authority to determine and mark internal layouts within private colonies.
He also directly asked senior counsel L. Ravi Chander whether HYDRAA had any jurisdiction in such matters to begin with.
Contempt Petitions Add Fuel to the Fire
The hearing stemmed from contempt petitions filed by Sandhya Conventions Group, which alleged that HYDRAA ignored the court’s earlier directions to issue notice and follow due procedure before taking any action.
HYDRAA’s senior advocates, Prasad and Mayur Reddy, fired back, accusing the builders of “defenceless, wanton and brazen” violation of court orders.
Court Questions HYDRAA’s ‘Overzealousness’
Justice Reddy reminded HYDRAA commissioner Ranganath that the court had explicitly warned him just last Friday about avoiding further contempt. “Is it overzealousness against Sandhya Conventions? Was it so difficult to wait for court orders?” he asked, visibly displeased.
The judge also pointed out that HYDRAA had still not filed a counter explaining the statutory powers under which it operated—an omission he said could raise “serious issues.”
State’s Silence Raises Eyebrows
Additional Advocate-General Imran Khan informed the court that he had received no instructions from HYDRAA regarding the pre-sunrise demolition. Petitioners criticized this as unacceptable, given that more than 30 hours had passed since the incident.
The AAG assured the court that all details—right or wrong—would be placed on record.
Court Orders 15-Day No-Entry Zone
To cool tensions on the ground, Justice Reddy directed all parties to stay away from the disputed site for 15 days. He also instructed plot owners and officials to file sale agreements, LRS documents, building permissions, and other records.
HYDRAA has been ordered to submit a detailed explanation for the demolitions by Thursday. Until then, the court has ordered that status quo be maintained.
Secunderabad, July 17 — In a proud moment for the city, the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) has clinched the Swachh Survekshan Ministerial Award 2024–25 in the Special Category, standing out for its exemplary efforts in solid waste management, sanitation, and public engagement.
The award was presented by Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in the esteemed presence of President Droupadi Murmu at a formal ceremony held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, on Wednesday.
SCB Chief Executive Officer D. Madhukar Naik received the award on behalf of the Board. The Secunderabad Cantonment was the only cantonment board in India to be recognized in this special category, securing the top rank among 58 cantonment boards nationwide.
This accolade reflects SCB’s sustained efforts to implement effective sanitation practices, community-driven cleanliness initiatives, and innovative waste management strategies.
Also present at the event were SCB sanitation supervisor K. Sudarshan, sanitary field assistant U. Urmila, and K. Ilambarithi, Secretary of the Metropolitan Area and Urban Development from GHMC, acknowledging the collective effort of local civic bodies.
This achievement is not only a testament to SCB’s dedication to keeping the cantonment clean and sustainable, but also sets a national benchmark for other urban bodies to follow.
