GHMC council approves Rs 11,460 crore budget amid criticism on allocation

The GHMC approved a Rs 11,460 crore budget for 2026-27 in its final council meeting of the term. Commissioner RV Karnan highlighted challenges in integrating 27 newly merged Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) within the Outer Ring Road (ORR), many of which have outstanding loans from TSUFIDC.

Hyderabad: The GHMC in its last council meeting of the term, on Saturday, approved Rs 11,460 crore for the financial year 2026-27.

GHMC Commissioner RV Karnan, in his remarks on introducing the budget spoke about challenges while preparing the estimations in view of including 27 surrounding ULBs located within the ORR. Several ULBs have taken advances (loans) from Telangana State Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation (TSUFIDC) and the status of outstanding loan and repayment structure is yet to be understood, he said.

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The GHMC received revenue of Rs 6,441 crore through various means, including property taxes, trade licences, town planning fees, mutation fees, advertisement fees and newly merged 27 ULBs, while its expenditure stood at Rs 4,057 crore. The civic body allocated Rs 2,260 crore for newly merged 27 ULBs, and the revenue from the 27 merged municipalities was Rs 1,860 crore.

While Rs 1,720 crore was allocated for infrastructure works such as roads, bridges, CRMP works and H-CITI, another Rs 1,400 crore was for the newly merged 27 ULBs. The allocations included Rs 746 crore for solid waste management, Rs 550 crore for SNDP works, Rs 590 crore for parks development and other green initiatives, Rs 75 crore for street lighting, and Rs 78 crore for public utilities.

BRS Sitaphalmandi Corporator Samala Hema pointed out the meagre budget of Rs 78 crore being allocated for public utilities and said there was no allocation to tackle street dogs and mosquito menace.