Telangana Minister for IT, Industries, and Legislative Affairs, Duddilla Sridhar Babu, has strongly defended the recent merger of surrounding areas into the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), asserting that the decision was taken through a fully democratic process with the primary objective of ensuring sustainable development and improved civic services.

Addressing criticisms from opposition parties, in the Assembly on Friday, that the merger of peripheral municipalities lacked public consultations, Minister Sridhar Babu clarified that extensive discussions were held in the GHMC General Body meeting. "The allegations of no consultations are baseless. The merger was deliberated at length in the GHMC body, and the process adhered to democratic principles," he stated.

The expansion involves integrating 27 urban local bodies, including municipalities and corporations within and abutting the Outer Ring Road (ORR), into GHMC. This landmark decision, approved by the Cabinet in November 2025, received Governor's assent in December, and was further formalized through amendments to the GHMC Act and Telangana Municipalities Act passed by the Legislative Assembly on January 02, 2026. The Minister emphasized that the merger aims to provide better services to citizens, promote uniform urban planning, prevent haphazard development, mobilize resources efficiently, and foster comprehensive infrastructure growth. Following the expansion, GHMC has been reorganized into 300 wards across 12 zones and 60 circles to enhance decentralized administration and citizen convenience.