Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Faces Trifurcation: Implications and Concerns
Telangana government considers trifurcating Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, raising concerns about governance and development disparities.
Photo by Zoshua Colah
Editorial Analysis
The author critiques the Telangana government's proposal to trifurcate the GHMC, arguing that it could exacerbate existing problems such as uneven growth and service disparities. She suggests focusing on addressing core deficiencies instead.
Main Arguments:
- The proposed trifurcation of GHMC raises concerns about uneven growth, service disparities, and fragmented governance.
- Hyderabad corporation could be dominated by AIMIM, potentially affecting growth dynamics and cosmopolitan quality.
- The government could learn from Delhi's failed experiment of trifurcating its municipal corporation in 2012.
- Instead of trifurcation, the government should focus on addressing deficiencies in GHMC, such as development disparities and corruption.
Conclusion
Policy Implications
The Telangana government is considering trifurcating the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) into three separate corporations: Hyderabad, Cyberabad, and Malkajgiri. This follows the expansion of GHMC in 2025, which increased its area and number of wards. The proposed trifurcation raises concerns about uneven growth, service disparities, and fragmented governance.
Hyderabad corporation could be dominated by AIMIM, potentially affecting growth dynamics. The government could learn from Delhi's failed experiment of trifurcating its municipal corporation in 2012. Instead, it should focus on addressing deficiencies in GHMC, such as development disparities, staffing issues, corruption, and urban infrastructure.
Key Facts
GHMC expanded in 2025 to 2,053 sq.km
GHMC may be trifurcated into Hyderabad, Cyberabad, Malkajgiri
Hyderabad corporation could be dominated by AIMIM
UPSC Exam Angles
GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations
Connects to the syllabus on local governance, urban planning, and federalism
Potential question types: Analytical questions on the effectiveness of trifurcation, statement-based questions on constitutional provisions related to local governance
Visual Insights
Proposed Trifurcation of GHMC
Map showing the proposed division of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation into Hyderabad, Cyberabad, and Malkajgiri. Highlights potential areas of each new corporation.
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More Information
Background
The concept of municipal corporations in India has its roots in the British colonial era. The Madras Municipal Corporation, established in 1688, was the first municipal corporation in India. This was followed by the establishment of municipal corporations in Bombay and Calcutta in 1726.
These early municipal corporations were primarily focused on maintaining law and order and collecting taxes. Post-independence, the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 provided constitutional status to urban local bodies, including municipal corporations. This act mandated the establishment of municipal corporations in all states with a population of over three lakhs, ensuring regular elections, reservation of seats, and devolution of powers and responsibilities to these bodies.
The evolution of municipal governance reflects a shift from colonial administration to democratic decentralization, aimed at empowering citizens and improving urban service delivery.
Latest Developments
Over the past few years, there has been a growing trend of expanding the jurisdiction of municipal corporations to include peri-urban areas to better manage urban sprawl and infrastructure development. This expansion often leads to increased complexity in governance and service delivery, prompting discussions about restructuring or trifurcation. Several cities across India have experimented with different models of municipal governance, including unified corporations, multiple corporations, and special purpose vehicles for specific infrastructure projects.
The effectiveness of these models varies depending on the specific context and the capacity of the local government. Looking ahead, there is a need for greater emphasis on citizen participation, transparency, and accountability in municipal governance to ensure that urban development is inclusive and sustainable. The adoption of technology and data-driven decision-making can also play a crucial role in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of municipal services.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the key facts about the proposed GHMC trifurcation for UPSC Prelims?
For Prelims, remember that the Telangana government is considering trifurcating the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) into three entities: Hyderabad, Cyberabad, and Malkajgiri. The GHMC area expanded in 2025 to 2,053 sq.km. The GHMC currently has 300 wards/divisions. AIMIM could potentially dominate the Hyderabad corporation after trifurcation.
2. Why is the trifurcation of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) in the news recently?
The proposed trifurcation of GHMC is in the news because the Telangana government is actively considering it following the expansion of GHMC in 2025. This expansion increased its area and the number of wards, leading to discussions about managing the larger entity.
3. What are the potential pros and cons of trifurcating the GHMC?
Trifurcation could lead to more focused governance and development in each of the three proposed corporations (Hyderabad, Cyberabad, and Malkajgiri). However, it also raises concerns about uneven growth, potential service disparities between the corporations, and fragmented governance. The potential dominance of AIMIM in the Hyderabad corporation could also affect growth dynamics.
4. What is the historical background of municipal corporations in India?
The concept of municipal corporations in India dates back to the British colonial era. The Madras Municipal Corporation, established in 1688, was the first in India, followed by Bombay and Calcutta in 1726. These early corporations focused on law and order and tax collection.
5. What are the key concerns regarding the proposed trifurcation of GHMC?
The main concerns are uneven growth across the three new corporations, potential disparities in service delivery, and a fragmentation of governance. There are also concerns about the potential for one political party (AIMIM) to dominate the Hyderabad corporation, which could affect its development.
6. What is the significance of the year 2025 in the context of GHMC?
The year 2025 is significant because the GHMC area was expanded to 2,053 sq.km in that year. This expansion led to increased complexity in governance and service delivery, prompting the current discussions about trifurcation.
7. What lessons can be learned from Delhi's experience with trifurcating its municipal corporation?
The Telangana government should learn from Delhi's failed experiment of trifurcating its municipal corporation in 2012. Instead of trifurcation, the focus should be on addressing existing deficiencies within GHMC, such as development disparities, staffing issues, corruption, and urban infrastructure problems.
8. What are some of the deficiencies in GHMC that need to be addressed?
As per the topic, deficiencies in GHMC include development disparities within the corporation's jurisdiction, staffing issues, corruption, and problems with urban infrastructure. Addressing these issues is seen as an alternative to trifurcation.
9. How might the trifurcation of GHMC impact common citizens?
The impact on common citizens depends on how effectively the new corporations are governed. If trifurcation leads to improved service delivery and more focused development in each area, citizens could benefit. However, if it results in disparities and fragmented governance, it could negatively affect their quality of life.
10. What is the term of the current GHMC Council?
The term of the current GHMC Council ends on February 11, 2026.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992: 1. It mandates the establishment of Metropolitan Planning Committees to prepare development plans for metropolitan areas. 2. It empowers State Election Commissions to conduct elections for all municipalities, including municipal corporations. 3. It provides for reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women in municipal corporations. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: D
All three statements are correct. The 74th Amendment Act provides for all the mentioned provisions to strengthen urban local bodies.