The CURE Act replaces the GHMC Act of 1955: what changes for Hyderabad

Hyderabad Stories published this report on 11 October 2026 as part of a review of September 2026. It was drafted with AI assistance from the reports listed at the end, each read in full; quotations are as those reports printed them. Photo above — File photo: Hyderabad's high-rise skyline.

On Saturday, 12 September 2026, the Telangana Assembly passed the Core Urban Region (Integrated Governance) Bill, 2026 by voice vote. It became law on 22 September with Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla's assent. It replaces the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Act of 1955.

What it does

The Act covers the Core Urban Region — the Greater Hyderabad, Cyberabad and Malkajgiri corporations, home to nearly 1.30 crore people, about a third of the state. It creates:

• a CURE Disaster Management Authority,
• a CURE Traffic Management and Road Safety Authority, and
• a CURE Smart Governance Centre for real-time monitoring.

It introduces a capital value-based property tax, a single portal for services and approvals, and one consolidated bill for property tax, water, sewerage and sanitation, and it drops obsolete levies including octroi and the dog tax.

"Our government's resolve is to build a modern Hyderabad that can compete with the world," said Industries and Legislative Affairs Minister D. Sridhar Babu, who moved the Bill. The government said 70 changes had been made after public consultation.

The objections

The BJP, AIMIM and CPI recorded reservations. AIMIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi asked for the Bill to go to a Select Committee, and critics said it prioritised administrative decision-making over public participation. After it passed, experts appealed to the Governor to return it to the Assembly.

Sources

• Telangana passes CURE Bill, 'to build modern Hyderabad' — Siasat (PTI), 12 September 2026
• Assembly passes CURE Bill amid objections — The Hans India