Call for Secunderabad Municipal Corporation gets louder as infrastructure woes persist
The debate over Secunderabad’s future has intensified as residents demand a separate municipal corporation to address long-pending infrastructure and connectivity issues. Local voices insist that only an independent corporation can ensure focused planning and growth for Secunderabad.
Hyderabad: With residents pressing for the creation of a separate Secunderabad Municipal Corporation to secure focused development and basic amenities, the long-standing debate over the future of Secunderabad has come into sharp focus amid moves to redraw the limits of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation.
Following the Congress government’s decision to merge 27 municipalities into the GHMC and expand its limits, there are speculations that the urban body could be split into three or four corporations.
Against this backdrop, residents of Secunderabad are demanding an exclusive municipal corporation to address long-pending issues related to infrastructure, roads and connectivity.
While southern and western parts of Hyderabad have seen rapid growth in recent years, the northern part, which forms a major portion of Secunderabad, continues to lag behind. Residents say even basic road networks and civic infrastructure remain inadequate in several colonies.
“It may sound strange to many, but people in several colonies still long for proper roads, connectivity and basic infrastructure. For decades, Secunderabad and its suburbs have been neglected,” said Chandrashekhar, General Secretary of the Federation of North Eastern Colonies of Secunderabad.
A few efforts were made in recent years to stimulate development in the region. The foundation for Kandlakoya IT Park was laid in February 2022 and Telangana Institute of Medical Sciences (TIMS) was taken up at Alwal. However, in the last two years, these projects failed to take off.
“The government should facilitate entry and exit to TIMS from the Yapral end as it will benefit people a lot, failing which they will have to take long detours,” Chandrashekhar said.
The proposed merger of the Secunderabad Cantonment Board with the GHMC also raised hopes of better civic amenities. Although guidelines for the merger were issued last June, no progress has been made so far.
Amid these uncertainties, residents across Secunderabad are rallying behind the demand for an independent municipal corporation.
“First and foremost, the issue of road access needs to be addressed. Despite all claims, many roads continue to be closed by military authorities. If Secunderabad becomes a municipal corporation, all such roads must be taken over by the government in the larger interests of residents,” said Rajender Reddy, a resident of Malkajgiri.
Others believe that a separate corporation would bring focused planning and growth. While the western part of Hyderabad has emerged as an IT and corporate hub and the southern part hosts the airport and defence establishments, Secunderabad has been left out.
“Now it is time for Secunderabad to see development. To achieve this, establishing a municipal corporation is essential,” said Purnachander Rao, a resident of Alwal.
