GHMC completes five-year term with infrastructure, flood-control focus
HYDERABAD: The elected body of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation will complete its five-year term on February 10, 2026. Led by Mayor Gadwal Vijayalakshmi and Deputy Mayor Mothe Srilatha Shobhan Reddy, the council prioritised infrastructure development, flood mitigation, social empowerment and environmental protection.
Engineering and civic works
Between February 2021 and February 2026, the GHMC Engineering Maintenance wing completed 23,287 development works at a cost of ₹5,117.25 crore. These included road construction and repairs, stormwater drains, nala desilting, foot overbridges, junction improvements, community halls, compound walls around open spaces and crematoria, and rainwater harvesting structures.
In 2025–26 alone, 10,488 works worth ₹2,787.55 crore were taken up, of which 5,056 works costing ₹1,092.56 crore have been completed.
Flood mitigation and stormwater management
To address recurring urban flooding, GHMC constructed 11 rainwater holding and harvesting structures across 10 locations at a cost of ₹15.69 crore. The projects reduced waterlogging during heavy rainfall and aided groundwater recharge.
From February 2021, 1,636 stormwater drain works were completed with an expenditure of ₹816.21 crore. In the current financial year, 971 works worth ₹518.59 crore were taken up to mitigate flooding.
Roads, safety and junction development
Over the last five years, 8,542 road works were completed at a cost of ₹2,469.78 crore. Under the Road Safety Drive–2025, more than 27,000 potholes were filled, along with catch-pit repairs, median improvements and cover replacements.
Out of 82 junctions identified for improvement, 56 junctions were completed at a cost of ₹38.15 crore, focusing on pedestrian safety, traffic flow and urban aesthetics.
Pedestrian safety and civic amenities
To improve pedestrian safety on high-speed corridors, 23 foot overbridges were taken up at a cost of ₹76.85 crore, of which 15 have been completed. Multi-purpose community function halls and model crematoria were also developed to strengthen civic amenities.
Green Hyderabad initiatives
GHMC’s biodiversity wing expanded the city’s green footprint, with Hyderabad now having 1,164 parks. Between 2016–17 and 2024–25, 821.90 lakh saplings were planted against a target of 891 lakh.
In 2025–26, the Vanamahotsavam programme achieved 100% of its target by planting 25 lakh saplings. Miyawaki forests, urban forest parks, vertical gardens, central medians and lake buffer plantations were developed across 46 locations.
Urban community development and women’s empowerment
Alongside infrastructure, the Urban Community Development wing focused on improving the livelihoods of the urban poor by organising families into self-help groups (SHGs).
Under the Vaddi Leni Runalu scheme, the government bore interest ranging from 0% to 7%. In November 2025, ₹39.81 crore was released, benefiting 33,116 SHGs and 3,31,160 women. Between April 2022 and February 2026, 13,027 new SHGs were formed with 1,30,270 members.
Financial inclusion and livelihoods
Through bank linkages, 43,197 SHGs received loans amounting to ₹5,099.41 crore. Under the Indira Mahila Shakti programme, ₹247.05 crore was sanctioned to 9,147 individuals and ₹63.02 crore to 878 group units.
Thirty-eight Indiramma Mahila Shakti canteens were set up at a cost of ₹2.58 crore. Financial assistance was also extended to 1,762 beneficiaries under the Self Employment Programme.
Shelter for the homeless
Within GHMC limits, 10 shelter homes and seven patient attendant centres were established. During the period, 1,067 homeless persons were identified; 137 were shifted to shelters, while 930 were reunited with their native places.
Global recognition and future direction
Hyderabad received the World Green City Award–2022 and consecutive Tree City recognitions. With a 10% green budget, climate-resilient initiatives and biodiversity strategies, the GHMC laid a foundation for balanced and inclusive urban growth, giving equal importance to infrastructure, social empowerment and environmental protection.
