New Urban Bill: Telangana Unveils New Core Urban Region Bill to Replace Decades Old GHMC Law
New Urban Bill: The Telangana government has released a draft urban governance bill replacing the old GHMC Act, focusing on digital governance, environmental sustainability, public services, and inviting public suggestions until July 24.
New Urban Bill: The Telangana government has proposed a major overhaul of Hyderabad’s urban administration by introducing the draft Core Urban Region Integrated Governance Bill 2026. The proposed legislation is intended to replace the decades old GHMC Act with a governance framework designed for the city’s growing needs.
Officials said the existing law, introduced in 1955, no longer reflects the realities of a rapidly expanding metropolitan city. With Hyderabad witnessing significant growth in population, infrastructure, and the technology sector, the government believes a modern legal framework is necessary for efficient urban management.
The draft bill places strong emphasis on digital governance and citizen friendly public services. It aims to simplify approvals, licensing, tax related services, and grievance redressal through technology driven systems while improving transparency and reducing delays.
Environmental sustainability is another major focus of the proposal. The government has included measures to promote green development, improve waste management, encourage rainwater conservation, and move toward lower carbon emissions as part of long term urban planning.
The proposed legislation also seeks to strengthen public health services by improving sanitation, drinking water quality, pollution control, and sewage management. Authorities believe these measures will enhance the overall quality of life for city residents.
To support economic growth, the draft recommends simplifying approval procedures for businesses and encouraging investments through faster clearances. The government expects the reforms to improve the ease of doing business while creating more employment opportunities in Hyderabad.
Rather than finalizing the legislation immediately, the Telangana government has invited suggestions from citizens, resident welfare associations, urban planning experts, and civil society organizations. Feedback on the draft bill can be submitted until July 24 before the proposal is finalized and introduced in the State Legislature.
If enacted, the new law is expected to provide Hyderabad with a more transparent, digitally enabled, environmentally responsible, and citizen centric model of urban governance.
