The government in Telangana is contemplating a significant restructuring of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) boundaries, assessing the pros and cons of expanding its limits versus splitting it into smaller, more manageable units. If the expansion proposal is approved, GHMC could emerge as one of the largest civic bodies in India, potentially rivalling the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) in terms of geographical spread.
Official sources indicate that the proposed expansion would involve merging 27 surrounding civic bodies up to the Outer Ring Road with the GHMC, creating an expansive jurisdiction of approximately 1,400 square kilometres. This would place GHMC among the top-tier municipal corporations in the country in terms of size. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has expressed reservations about managing such a vast area under a single civic entity. During a recent meeting with municipal administration officials, he reportedly leaned towards splitting the Hyderabad metropolitan region into three or four distinct corporations, taking a cue from Karnataka’s ongoing efforts to divide the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) into five smaller civic bodies. The BBMP currently spans 741 square kilometres, about half the size of the proposed Greater City Corporation in Hyderabad.
Municipal administration officials have highlighted the challenges faced by other large civic bodies. For instance, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation, which covers 680 square kilometres after merging surrounding municipalities, struggles with infrastructure and funding issues. Similarly, the Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation, created by amalgamating villages and extending over 400 square kilometres, ranks as the 14th largest civic body in India but suffers from inadequate roads and drainage systems. The consensus among officials is that multiple smaller corporations could ensure better administration and more efficient governance compared to a single large entity. Consequently, a comprehensive exercise is underway to identify areas for potential merger within the Hyderabad metropolitan region. Officials are tasked with ensuring that entire villages or assembly constituencies are brought under the new civic jurisdictions, should they be included in the expanded or restructured GHMC.
The timing of these changes is crucial. The terms of the surrounding existing civic bodies conclude in January 2025, while GHMC’s current term ends in February 2026. Moreover, before any restructuring, the government must conduct a Backward Classes (BC) survey to facilitate the forthcoming elections, honouring its commitment to the High Court. The decision will have far-reaching implications for urban governance, infrastructure development, and the overall quality of life for residents in the Hyderabad metropolitan area. The outcome of this deliberation will set a precedent for how large metropolitan regions in India can balance growth with effective administration.
