Telangana passes CURE Bill to reorganize Hyderabad governance

The Telangana Legislative Assembly has passed the Core Urban Region (Integrated Governance) Bill, 2026, commonly known as the CURE Bill. The new law, which received assent from Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on September 22, replaces the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Act of 1955.

The legislation reorganizes the existing GHMC into three separate municipal corporations to manage the rapid growth of Hyderabad’s infrastructure, transportation, and civic services. While the government states the move aims to create a more effective and efficient governance system for the expanding urban population, the bill has faced significant criticism.

Critics and civil society groups have raised concerns regarding the transparency of the legislative process. Specifically, the public consultation period lasted only 20 days and was conducted exclusively in English via an online portal. Although the government reported receiving over 4,000 suggestions and making 70 changes to the draft, there has been little public disclosure regarding the rationale behind these modifications or how the feedback was utilized.