27 ULBs Merged With GHMC For Uniform Governance

The State government has decided to integrate all municipalities and corporations located within the Hyderabad Telangana Core Urban Area into the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).

A Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy was held at the Secretariat today, during which several key resolutions were taken for the State's development.

One of them was the approval for the merger of 27 urban local bodies (ULBs) - including municipalities and corporations situated both within and outside the Outer Ring Road - into the GHMC.

To enable the merger, the necessary amendments to the GHMC Act and the Telangana Municipal Act were also approved.

The Cabinet also sanctioned the creation of a third electricity distribution company (DISCOM), which will function alongside the existing NPDCL and SPDCL. All agricultural connections, lift irrigation schemes, Mission Bhagiratha, safe drinking water schemes and HMWSSB power connections will come under the jurisdiction of the new DISCOM.

The Cabinet also reviewed the State's increasing power demand, the requirement over the next 10 years, and power generation estimates. It examined a detailed presentation by the Energy Department.

In line with central government regulations to enhance renewable energy usage, the Cabinet also decided to increase Telangana's renewable energy share. As part of this, tenders will be invited soon for procuring 3,000 MW of solar power under five-year agreements.

The Cabinet also approved the construction of a new 800 MW unit at Ramagundam Thermal Power Station under the NTPC. Officials have also been instructed to explore the feasibility of establishing NTPC power plants in Palvancha and Maktal. A final assessment of the unit rate will be made if the NTPC undertakes construction.

The State government has also decided to establish an underground electricity cable system in Hyderabad, similar to the system in Bengaluru. Officials recently studied the Bengaluru model. According to their report, laying an underground cable network within the GHMC limits is estimated to cost around Rs 14,725 crore. Hyderabad will be divided into three sections based on electricity circles, and all power, T-Fiber and cable networks will be routed underground. Officials have been directed to prepare a detailed working plan and hold consultations with service providers.

The Cabinet also approved the allocation of 20.28 acres of government land for an SC, ST and BC Young India Integrated Residential School in Pedda Nallabelli village of Dummugudem mandal in Bhadradri Kothagudem district. It also approved 40 acres for establishing a sports school in Jaggannapet village of Mulugu district.

The Cabinet also decided to set up a new Advanced Technology Centre (ATC) in the Jubilee Hills constituency, and approved the establishment of ATCs in six new ITIs, in addition to the existing 56.