In a sweeping move to modernise urban governance and infrastructure, the state cabinet of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has approved the merger of 27 urban local bodies (ULBs) located within and around the city’s Outer Ring Road (ORR) into the municipal corporation. 
The merger, which expands GHMC’s jurisdiction to incorporate municipalities including Shamshabad, Manikonda, Medchal, Boduppal, Nizampet, and several other neighbouring towns and suburbs, raises the number of GHMC wards substantially. 
In tandem with this governance overhaul, the cabinet also approved an ambitious plan to modernise Hyderabad’s power and telecommunications infrastructure by laying all electricity, T-Fibre, and other cable networks underground. The initiative is expected to cost around ₹14,725 crore. The plan draws inspiration from a similar underground cabling project implemented in Bengaluru. Implementation will begin by dividing the city into three electricity zones for phased rollout. 
Officials told the press that the merger and infrastructure upgrade are aimed at ensuring uniform development standards, streamlined civic services, and better urban planning across the greater metropolitan region. They described the expansion as a strategic response to rapid urbanisation, infrastructure disparities, and rising demand for modern civic facilities in areas adjoining the city’s core. 
As these changes take shape, Hyderabad is poised to emerge as one of India’s most expansive and systematically planned urban conglomerates combining expanded municipal boundaries with upgraded infrastructure that aims to deliver improved reliability, safety, and modern amenities to a growing population.
