Proposal to extend the Greater Hyderabad limits up to ORR
GHMC to be divided into four zones
Expansion up to 2000 sq. km
Municipalities and corporations within the ORR limits to merge into GHMC?
The Telangana government is moving forward with a firm resolve to develop Hyderabad into a world-class city. In this regard, it has decided to extend the limits of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) up to the Outer Ring Road (ORR). The government plans to set up a special committee under the Revanth governance to examine the feasibility of this expansion. A proposal to extend the Greater Hyderabad limits up to the ORR has already been sent to the Municipal and Urban Development Department. It is expected that the Congress government will soon make a decision on this matter.
The initial plan was to integrate the areas inside the Outer Ring Road (ORR) into Greater Hyderabad and establish a single corporation to drive the city’s integrated development. However, for administrative convenience, the Telangana government is also considering the proposal to divide the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) into three or four parts. Taking all these factors into account, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is contemplating the formation of a committee to find the appropriate solution.
Excluding the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, there are a total of 20 municipalities and 7 corporations within the Outer Ring Road (ORR) limits. The government has recognized that there is a significant development gap between the GHMC and the other municipalities and corporations. In this context, the Telangana government is considering merging these municipalities and corporations into the GHMC to ensure uniform development up to the ORR. As a result, the GHMC is expected to expand to around 2000 square kilometres.
However, with such a vast area, officials believe that new administrative challenges may arise. To address these potential issues, the proposal to divide the GHMC into three or four parts after merging the 20 municipalities and 7 corporations has been brought up. This merger would require integrating the municipalities and corporations within the ORR into the GHMC.
To merge the corporations and municipalities within the Outer Ring Road (ORR) into the GHMC, the Greater Hyderabad Council must give its approval. However, the ruling Congress party does not have a majority in the Greater Council. Additionally, the current term of the Council will end by February next year. On the other hand, the term of the 20 municipalities and 7 corporations will expire by the end of this month. After the expiration of their terms, elections must be held within six months.
Instead of conducting elections for these local bodies, the Telangana government plans to form a special committee to study the feasibility of merging them into the GHMC and, if necessary, dividing the GHMC for administrative convenience. Given this formation of a committee, legal disputes regarding elections for these municipalities before their term ends are expected to be avoided.
Officials believe that the committee will need at least a year to complete its study and submit a report. By that time, the term of the GHMC governing body will also expire. It is anticipated that by then, clarity on the merger of local bodies on the outskirts and the division of the GHMC will emerge, and the government will likely hold elections afterward.