Hyderabad Steps into a New Governance Era with Major GHMC Restructure

In a landmark move, the Telangana government has completed a major administrative reorganisation of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), reinforcing its position as the largest civic body in India. The final notification, issued on Thursday, ushers in a redesigned framework that expands and decentralises urban governance across the rapidly growing metropolis.

Under the revised structure, GHMC will operate through 12 zones and 60 circles, replacing the earlier six-zone, 30-circle setup. This change follows the recent merger of 27 neighbouring Urban Local Bodies into the corporation — expanding its jurisdiction to nearly 2,000 square kilometres and nearly 300 wards.

The government created new zones such as Malkajgiri, Uppal, Shamshabad, Rajendranagar, Golconda, and Quthbullapur to balance administrative workloads based on population and geography. Each zone now comprises four to seven circles, enhancing local governance and decision-making closer to residents.

To steer the expanded civic machinery, IAS officers have been appointed as zonal commissioners. Additionally, the state government has introduced a Special Chief Secretary for Metropolitan Area and Urban Development to focus on infrastructure planning and coordinated growth across the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) limits.

Officials emphasise that this restructuring aims to improve service delivery, planning, and responsiveness in one of India’s fastest-growing urban regions. With the new governance blueprint now in force, authorities are working to ensure a smooth transition without disrupting essential civic services.