Hyderabad: The merger of 27 surrounding urban local bodies with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) will make it the country’s biggest municipal corporation in terms of both area and population. GHMC’s area will expand from 650 sq km to 2,050 sq km, while its population is estimated to rise from 1.12 crore to 1.34 crore. The number of municipal wards will double to 300.
Delimitation process underway
GHMC Commissioner R.V. Karnan told a special general body meeting on Tuesday that the merger will transform GHMC into the Telangana Core Urban Region. The meeting was convened to discuss the preliminary notification on ward delimitation, prepared based on a study by the Centre for Good Governance. Over 3,000 objections have been received so far, with December 17 set as the last date for submissions.
Political objections raised
Cutting across party lines, corporators, MLAs and MLCs raised concerns over the delimitation exercise. BRS and AIMIM leaders alleged lack of consultation and questioned the legality and criteria of the process, while Mayor Gadwal Vijayalaxmi said the expansion would ensure unified governance, equitable development and improved civic services for Greater Hyderabad.