Green signal for merging suburban municipalities and corporations into GHMC – Cabinet decisions revealed by Minister Sreedhar Babu

The Telangana Cabinet has approved several key decisions. It has decided to merge the municipalities and municipal corporations located on the outskirts of Hyderabad (those adjoining the ORR) into the GHMC. Ministers stated that the meeting mainly focused on issues related to the power sector.

Speaking to the media, Minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu said that the Cabinet has approved the merger of urban local bodies such as Adibatla, Peerzadiguda, Jalpally, Shamshabad, Turkayamjal, Manikonda, and Narsingi into GHMC. He added that a total of 27 municipalities and corporations falling under the Telangana Core Urban Area would be merged with GHMC. The government will take a decision in the future on whether GHMC should be retained as a single entity or divided into multiple units.

He further said, “We held an extensive discussion on the state's power requirements for the next ten years. The Cabinet has decided to procure 2,000 MW of pump storage power. To maintain transparency in the power sector, we are setting up a new DISCOM. We have also decided to allow newly established industries to generate their own power. Strict action will be taken against those leaking confidential government information. The Cabinet has also discussed this issue, and an inquiry will be conducted,” he said.

Other Cabinet decisions include:

1.Inviting tenders for 3,000 MW of additional power generation.

2.Approval for the underground power-cable system in Hyderabad.

3.Implementation of a plan to shift the entire power network underground.

4.Dividing the city into three zones for underground electrical works.

5.Approval for the establishment of a third DISCOM in the state.

6.Bringing Mission Bhagiratha and Metro Water Supply under the new DISCOM.

7.Continuing the existing system of power supply to industries.

8.Approval for the purchase of solar power.

9.Decision to construct the Ramagundam Thermal Power Plant under NTPC’s supervision.

10.Allocation of 40 acres in Jaggannapeta village of Mulugu mandal for establishing a sports school.

11.Establishing an ATC as promised during the Jubilee Hills by-election.

Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy said, “The industrial policy was framed based on the recommendations of the subcommittee. The decision aims to transform all areas within the Outer Ring Road into pollution-free zones. Previous governments tried, and we are also working towards the same. This is the right decision. Harish Rao and KTR should stop political criticism.”

Minister Jupally Krishna Rao added, “KTR challenged that the Jubilee Hills by-election would be a referendum. When he was the Industries Minister, he decided to shift polluting industries beyond the ORR. He converted industrial areas into housing zones and made money from them. Not a grain of truth exists in KTR’s statements.”

Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka said, “We decided to shift industries located inside the ORR to prevent Hyderabad from facing pollution issues like Delhi. The government aims to protect Hyderabad from pollution by relocating industries to less populated regions. Why is KTR criticizing decisions that benefit the state? KTR allocated land for his own beneficiaries through land conversion policies. Unlike him, our government does not take decisions to benefit a few people. Our policies are designed for the welfare of everyone.”