The Central Government has officially merged the civil areas under the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). This long-awaited development fulfils a long-standing demand of the local residents and marks a milestone in the region’s governance.
The Defence Ministry issued the merger orders late on Saturday, following a concerted effort led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. The Chief Minister had previously brought the matter to the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Telangana on March 5, highlighting the need to resolve the ongoing stalemate regarding the merger.
The initiative was bolstered by multiple representations made to the Central Government, advocating for the merger. In response, the Centre announced its decision to dissolve all cantonment boards, which have been in place since British rule, integrating them with local municipalities. Chief Secretary A. Santhi Kumari played a pivotal role by communicating with the Union Ministry, seeking the release of guidelines necessary for expediting the merger process.
Following these communications, the Defence Ministry outlined the procedures for merging civil areas within the cantonment with the municipalities. Consequently, the civil regions of the SCB will be absorbed into the GHMC, with all existing facilities and infrastructure being transferred to the municipal corporation without any cost implications.
An official statement clarified that all assets and liabilities of the Cantonment Boards would also be transferred to the respective municipalities. This merger extends the jurisdiction of the GHMC to include the residential areas of the cantonment, with the exception of the military station. The GHMC will now have the authority to collect taxes in these newly incorporated areas. However, properties and lands owned by the Central Government will remain under its control.
The Centre has emphasised that the security of Armed Forces personnel must remain a top priority for the civic bodies. The State Government and Cantonment Board officials have been instructed to address any ambiguities and proceed in accordance with the guidelines provided by the Central Government.
This merger represents a significant step towards streamlined governance and enhanced civic management in Secunderabad. By integrating the civil areas into the GHMC, residents can expect improved access to municipal services and infrastructure, fostering a more cohesive urban environment. The move is also anticipated to bolster local development efforts, providing a unified administrative framework that benefits both residents and the broader community.
The integration of SCB civil areas into GHMC underscores a broader trend of administrative consolidation aimed at improving efficiency and service delivery across India’s urban landscapes. This development not only addresses historical administrative divisions but also paves the way for a more integrated and responsive governance model in Secunderabad and Hyderabad.
