CURE, Metro, Musi and Future City: Telangana’s big Hyderabad makeover begins
HYDERABAD: The Telangana government’s 2026-27 Budget has outlined a major urban development roadmap to position Hyderabad among the world’s fastest-growing global cities.
An allocation of ₹17,907 crore has been proposed for the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department to support infrastructure, governance reforms and environmental initiatives.
Core urban region economy planned within Outer Ring Road limits
The government has identified areas within the Hyderabad Outer Ring Road (ORR) as the Core Urban Region Economy (CURE). The region will be developed as a hub for technology, Artificial Intelligence, Global Capability Centres (GCCs), financial services, and research and development.
Officials said steps are being taken to make the region pollution-free. Polluting industries will be shifted outside the ORR under the Hyderabad Industrial Lands Transformation policy. Single-use plastic will also be banned within the zone.
Under a green mobility initiative, the government plans to retrofit petrol and diesel autorickshaws into electric vehicles within CURE limits at no cost to owners.
Administrative restructuring aims at faster civic and policing services
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation has been reorganised into three civic bodies Greater Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Malkajgiri to improve decentralised governance and service delivery.
Police administration has also been expanded into four commissionerates: Hyderabad, Cyberabad, Malkajgiri and Future City.
The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency has been set up to safeguard public assets. It has recovered 1,045 acres of government land, valued at about ₹60,000 crore, and is focusing on lake protection and flood prevention.
Metro expansion, elevated corridors part of urban connectivity plan
In a policy shift, the state government has decided to take over the Hyderabad Metro Rail project from Larsen & Toubro. Plans are being prepared for Phase II and Phase III to extend connectivity to the Old City, Shamshabad airport and areas beyond Hitech City.
Under the H-CITI scheme, ₹2,654 crore has been earmarked for urban infrastructure. Proposed projects include elevated corridors from Paradise to Shamirpet, Paradise to Dairy Farm Road, and from the Integrated Command and Control Centre to the Shilpa Layout flyover.
Heritage conservation initiatives will focus on the Old City, including restoration of historic structures and pedestrian-friendly development around Charminar and Laad Bazaar.
Bharat Future City and Musi rejuvenation among flagship projects
The government announced plans to establish Bharat Future City over 30,000 acres. The proposed smart city will feature a greenfield national highway linking it directly to Machilipatnam Port, an underground power network and eco-friendly smart grids.
The Young India Skill University will be set up in the city to build a skilled workforce.
A major rejuvenation programme has been proposed for the Musi River along a 55-km stretch. The Gandhi Sarovar project at the confluence of the Esa and Musi rivers will focus on river cleaning, flood control and recreational facilities.
Authorities said 39 new sewage treatment plants are under construction. Around 2.5 TMC of water will be supplied to the river through the Godavari project.
Healthcare expansion and education infrastructure to be strengthened
By the end of 2026, the government plans to add 6,582 tertiary-care beds through expansion of the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences and new Telangana Institute of Medical Sciences hospitals at Sanathnagar, LB Nagar and Alwal.
A Dr B R Ambedkar Knowledge Tower is under construction at Lower Tank Bund. The Budget has also proposed ₹1,000 crore for infrastructure development at Osmania University.
IT growth strategy and global events enhance Hyderabad’s profile
Hyderabad currently hosts around 20% of India’s Global Capability Centres. More than 70 new GCCs were established in 2024-25.
The government is promoting the Growth in Dispersion policy to expand IT development beyond the western corridor of the city. Officials said global events such as Miss World competitions and football matches featuring Lionel Messi have boosted Hyderabad’s international visibility.
