As the five-year term of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation’s (GHMC) elected council concludes today, reports from multiple sources indicate that the Telangana government is on the verge of formally dividing the expansive civic body into three separate corporations.
The move is expected to streamline administration and enhance governance across the rapidly growing urban landscape of Hyderabad and its surrounding areas.
The GHMC, which was expanded in December 2025 through the merger of 27 urban local bodies, including 20 municipalities and seven municipal corporations, has become one of India’s largest municipal entities, spanning over 2,053 square kilometers up to the Outer Ring Road boundaries and serving a population of approximately 1.34 crore. The expansion integrated areas under the Telangana Core Urban Region (TCUR), but officials have reportedly cited a need for better management.
According to sources, the trifurcation will result in the creation of the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, Cyberabad Municipal Corporation, and Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation.
The new Hyderabad Corporation is expected to encompass the largest share, covering six zones – Secunderabad, Khairatabad, Golconda, Charminar, Rajendranagar, and Shamshabad.
Cyberabad will focus on the western zones of Kukatpally, Quthbullapur, and Serilingampally, while Malkajgiri will handle the eastern zones, including Malkajgiri, Uppal, and LB Nagar.
The reorganization is anticipated to revive elements of the old Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad (MCH) structure in the core areas. With the council’s term ending, the GHMC will transition to administration under a special officer, likely of secretary rank, who will oversee operations across the approximately 300 wards until new elections are held.
A Government Order (GO) formalizing the division is expected to be issued within the next couple of days, potentially appointing a single special officer for all three entities alongside dedicated commissioners for day-to-day management.
Elections for the new corporations must occur within six months, with possible polls in April or May 2026, paving the way for each body to have its own mayor and commissioner.
The decision follows months of speculation and unofficial hints from government channels, with discussions intensifying since early January 2026. While the state government has maintained silence on the exact timeline, the move is seen as a strategic step to address administrative challenges in the mega corporation.
Post-division, attention will shift to allocating assets, liabilities, and resources among the new entities. Political parties are gearing up for what could be a contentious electoral battle in the coming months, as the trifurcation alters ward reservations and local power dynamics. Residents and experts alike expressed optimism that smaller, focused corporations will lead to improved urban services, infrastructure development, and responsiveness to local needs in one of India’s fastest-growing cities.