GHMC’s ward delimitation faces backlash from Corporators and RWAs

The GHMC’s proposed delimitation of 300 wards has triggered widespread criticism from corporators, political parties and resident welfare associations. BRS and BJP corporators met GHMC officials to register objections, while RWAs argued the changes could disrupt community services.

Hyderabad: The delimitation exercise proposed by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has drawn sharp criticism from corporators, political parties and resident welfare associations, who allege the process lacked transparency and ignored ground realities.

They claim that the boundaries of 300 wards, finalised after a one-week period for suggestions and objections that concluded on Wednesday, have split existing wards and favoured certain areas.

---

Corporators from the BRS and BJP met the GHMC Commissioner RV Karnan and zonal commissioners of all six zones to register their objections. They said the delimitation favoured some localities while neglecting others and urged greater public consultation before the boundaries were finalised.

The BJP corporators asked the GHMC Commissioner to take the objections and suggestions into consideration and pointed out that the issue has caused widespread discontent, with calls for greater public consultation before finalising the new boundaries.

Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) too joined the disapproval, arguing that the changes could disrupt community services and local governance.

They said their interests were not adequately considered and demanded a review of the process to ensure it aligns with residents’ needs and expectations.

RWAs representatives from the North-Eastern part of Secunderabad alleged the entire delimitation process might have been influenced by political motives.

Cantonment Vikas Manch, a Secunderabad Cantonment-based NGO, also submitted objections and its secretary Sanki Ravinder Babu said, “We are objecting to the name Monda Market for Ward No: 196 as it doesn’t match the area’s geography. The ward covers East and West Marredpally, Addagutta and Secunderabad areas. We are to rename it as ‘Marredpally’ division based on the historical significance and dominant presence in the ward.”

The GHMC had invited suggestions and objections on the delimitation of its 300 wards over a one-week period, which concluded on Wednesday.

With Wednesday as the last date for submitting suggestions and objections on the delimitation of 300 wards as part of 27 ULBs merging into the GHMC, a total of 5,905 suggestions and objections were submitted from December 10 to 17.

On Wednesday itself, 1,283 suggestions and objections came in, according to an official release.