From Baldia to 300 wards: How Hyderabad’s municipal governance evolved

Hyderabad’s civic administration evolved from the Baldia system (1869) to the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad and later the GHMC (2007). The 2025 reorganisation expanded the city to 300 wards, reflecting a long and complex municipal history.

Hyderabad: From erstwhile Baldia to a short-lived status of country’s biggest civic body as Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation to being carved into three jurisdictions, city’s civic administration indeed had a long journey.

In 1869, Hyderabad Municipal Board and Chaderghat Municipal Board were formed, with the city of Hyderabad divided into four and suburbs of Chaderghat divided into five divisions, and the entire management handled by the then City Police Commissioner, Kotwal-e-Baldia.

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Mir Turab Ali Khan, Salar Jung I, the then Prime Minister of Hyderabad State, constituted the Department of Municipal and Road Maintenance and appointed a Municipal Commissioner for the Hyderabad Board and Chaderghat Board. In 1886, Chaderghat Board was made a municipality and handed over to a separate officer.

Hyderabad Municipal Corporation:

In 1921, Hyderabad Municipality increased to 84 sq km, and in 1933, Chaderghat Municipality was merged to form Hyderabad Municipal Corporation.

Jubilee Hills Municipality:

In 1937, Jubilee Hills Municipality was formed by the amalgamation of Jubilee Hills and Banjara Hills. Later, in 1942, the corporation status for the city was removed due to some issues.

Secunderabad Municipality:

In 1945, the Secunderabad Municipality was formed. Again in 1950, Hyderabad regained its lost Corporation status along with the amalgamation of Jubilee Hills Municipality.

Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad:

The Hyderabad Corporation and the Secunderabad Corporation were established in 1950 and Jubilee Hills Municipality was merged with Hyderabad Corporation.

In 1955, the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Act merged the municipal corporations overseeing Hyderabad and neighbouring Secunderabad. Again in 1955, both the municipal corporations of Hyderabad and Secunderabad were merged to form Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad (MCH).

Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation:

The GHMC was formed on 16 April 2007 by merging 12 municipalities and 8 gram panchayats with the MCH and consisted of 6 zones, 30 circles and 150 wards

GHMC reorganisation 2025:

On December 25, 2025, 27 ULBs were merged and GHMC was expanded into 12 zonal circles and 60 circles and 300 wards.