Mayor Gadwal Vijayalakshmi and Deputy Mayor Mothe Srilatha Shobhan Reddy have wholeheartedly welcomed the state government’s historic decision to merge 20 municipalities and 7 corporations with Greater Hyderabad, transforming it into India’s largest metropolitan city.

Speaking at the inauguration of beautification works at the GHMC head office, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor said they were proud and delighted to serve as the leadership of a city that has now expanded from 650 sq. km to nearly 2000 sq. km.

The Mayor and Deputy Mayor expressed profound gratitude to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, stating that the merger of 27 municipalities has increased our responsibility manifold.

“It is a matter of pride to serve as Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the largest metropolitan city in the country. We wholeheartedly welcome the Chief Minister’s historic decision and thank him on behalf of the people of Hyderabad," they said.

The Mayor and the Deputy Mayor said the merger would ensure equitable and accelerated development across the newly added urban areas, ensuring they progress on par with core Hyderabad. Citizens will now receive faster and more efficient civic services, they added.

Earlier in the day, Mayor Vijayalakshmi along with Deputy Mayor Srilatha Shobhan Reddy unveiled the long-pending statues of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar at the GHMC head office.

Commissioner R. V. Karnan, Additional Commissioners, departmental heads, and representatives of employee unions offered floral tributes to the great leaders.

Following this, the Mayor inaugurated beautification works, including the new fountain and entrance landscaping. She expressed happiness that these installations—pending for nearly two decades—were finally completed, giving the GHMC Head Office a corporate and modern look.

Addressing the media, the Mayor said GHMC’s jurisdiction now expands to almost 2000 sq. km, making Hyderabad the largest metropolitan region in India.

She said municipalities merged with GHMC will now witness rapid, structured, and balanced urban development.

The merger will ensure seamless service delivery and improved civic amenities for all residents, she said.

Deputy Mayor Srilatha Shobhan Reddy added that the merger marks a new phase of fast-tracked development in suburban municipalities. Both leaders reiterated their strong support for the Chief Minister’s transformative governance.