The Telangana High Court has issued notices to the state government in response to petitions challenging the merger of 27 urban local bodies with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). The court has directed the government to file its response within the stipulated time and posted the matter for further hearing.
Court’s Observation
A division bench of the High Court, headed by the Chief Justice and another judge, took up a batch of writ petitions questioning the legality and constitutional validity of the recent ordinances issued by the state government to expand GHMC limits.
The court sought clarification from the government on the process followed for issuing the ordinances and the amendments made to the GHMC Act, 1955, under which the merger was carried out.
Petitioners’ Arguments
The petitions were filed by residents of some of the affected municipalities, including areas in Rangareddy district, which were recently merged into GHMC limits. The petitioners argued that:
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The merger was carried out without adequate public consultation
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Mandatory procedures such as prior notification and objections were not properly followed
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The move violates constitutional provisions related to equality, representation, and democratic governance
They contended that the sudden expansion of GHMC boundaries would impact local self-governance, taxation, civic administration, and development planning.
State Government’s Move
Earlier this month, the Telangana government issued three ordinances amending provisions of the GHMC Act to facilitate the merger of 27 municipalities and municipal corporations into GHMC. The government stated that the decision was taken to ensure integrated urban planning, improved infrastructure development, and uniform civic administration in the Hyderabad metropolitan region.
The merged areas are largely located around the Outer Ring Road and rapidly urbanising zones adjoining Hyderabad city.
Next Course of Action
The High Court has granted time to the state government to file its counter-affidavit explaining the legal basis of the merger and the procedure adopted. The case is scheduled for further hearing in January 2026.
Until then, the legal challenge keeps the GHMC expansion under judicial scrutiny, with residents and civic bodies closely watching the outcome.
