Secunderabad corporation demand grows amid GHMC restructuring plan
HYDERABAD: With the Telangana government extending the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits up to the Outer Ring Road (ORR) and moving towards a three-way administrative split, demands are growing for a separate municipal corporation in the name of Secunderabad.
The proposal to divide GHMC into three corporations Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Malkajgiri has triggered opposition from residents and political leaders in Secunderabad, who say erasing the city’s name is unacceptable.
Secunderabad name cannot be erased, say leaders
Bharat Rashtra Samithi leaders have stepped up their demand for a separate Secunderabad corporation, arguing that Hyderabad cannot be imagined without its twin city.
They point to Secunderabad’s 220-year history, its military cantonment, commercial significance, major railway junction, and landmarks such as the Clock Tower and the Lashkar area. Merging Secunderabad localities into other corporations without retaining its name is being strongly opposed.
Former minister and Sanathnagar MLA Talasani Srinivas Yadav said a phased action plan has been prepared to achieve the demand. He said representatives from all sections of Secunderabad would be mobilised to press the issue.
Will Old City get priority over Secunderabad?
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has repeatedly described the Old City as the “original city”, but observers say it is unlikely that Secunderabad’s identity will be removed altogether.
Political analysts believe the government may either name one of the proposed three corporations as Secunderabad or create a separate Secunderabad municipal corporation.
The issue has become a major topic of public debate in the city, with the government under pressure to take a considered view.
Secunderabad: a brief civic history
1806: Secunderabad established as a British military cantonment; later evolved into a commercial centre.
1850–1900: Emerged as a railway hub with the establishment of Secunderabad railway station.
1948–1955: Retained a distinct civic identity even after Hyderabad’s integration; Secunderabad Municipal Corporation formed.
1955: Hyderabad and Secunderabad municipal corporations merged to form the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad (MCH).
2007: MCH expanded into GHMC with the merger of 12 municipalities; Secunderabad continues as a named zone.
Three-corporation proposal: key figures
According to data currently in circulation:
Hyderabad: Area about 650 sq km, population about 45 lakh
Cyberabad: Area about 850 sq km, population about 50 lakh
Malkajgiri: Area about 553 sq km, population about 39 lakh
These figures are being cited to justify administrative decentralisation into three corporations.
Clarity expected within a month
Recent developments including the formation of separate police commissionerates, appointment of additional GHMC commissioners for clusters of zones, and large-scale administrative transfers have strengthened speculation that the three-corporation model is imminent.
The current GHMC governing council’s term ends on February 10, by which time a clear decision is expected.
Meeting and rally planned
A meeting will be held on Sunday under the leadership of Talasani Srinivas Yadav with current and former public representatives, and leaders of trade, business and labour organisations from the Secunderabad Lok Sabha and Cantonment Assembly constituencies.
Organisers have also planned a massive rally of 10,000 people on February 17 to press for a corporation in the name of Secunderabad.
