
Telangana Govt focusses on amenities in GHMC ahead of elections to the Corporation
The Hindu
Telangana government prioritizes GHMC amenities ahead of elections, with CM Revanth Reddy announcing he would inspect the Corporation's zones and warning officials of strict actions if roads are not cleaned
After the completion of elections to Urban Local Bodies (ULB), Telangana Government has decided to focus on the amenities that are being provided to the residents by the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) department.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, who is also MA&UD Minister, has announced his resolve to visit every zone in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) in the coming days to inspect the maintenance of civic infrastructure. Officials concerned were warned of stringent action if they were found wanting in discharge of their duties. “Officials will be suspended on the spot if they fail to maintain cleanliness on the roads in their jurisdiction,” he said. The directions assume significance in the light of the impending elections to restructured GHMC or the three new corporations formed in its place.
He directed the Commissioners and Zonal Commissioners have to be on the field and collect information pertaining to maintenance of parks in their respective jurisdictions. The Chief Minister made the remarks during a review meeting on the Municipal Administration department with senior officials at the State Secretariat in Hyderabad on Tuesday (February 17, 2026).
He wanted officials to examine the possibility of setting up smart poles in the GHMC limits. Officials concerned should also study the scope for putting in place skywalks under public private partnership (PPP) mode in areas which register heavy traffic load. Steps should be taken to set up a multilevel car parking near the Necklace Road Railway Station.
Mr. Reddy asked them to be cautious about the advertisement boards and ensure that there was no scope for leakage in the revenue accrued to the Government through them. Steps should be taken to earmark 10% space on these advertisement boards for displaying Government schemes and programmes, while measures should be put in place to collect the fee for displaying advertisements once a year. Stringent action should be taken against those putting up “illegal” advertisement boards.
He wanted the officials concerned to ensure effective maintenance and operation of street lights and steps should be taken to ensure smart poles at all major junctions. The Chief Minister made several suggestions for resolving the issues that cropped up in division of the GHMC and directed them to take special care on sanitation related aspects.

Machattu Mamangam 2026 was celebrated on February 17 at Thiruvanikkavu Bhagavathy Temple in Thrissur, Kerala, drawing thousands to witness the iconic Kuthirakolam procession. Villagers carried towering poikuthiras across post-harvest paddy fields as Panchavadyam marked the grand procession, followed by the energetic Kuthirakkali ritual. The five-day temple festival, led by the Thekkumkara division, stood out for its strong community participation and elephant-free celebrations.












