A long-standing request to integrate civilian sections of Secunderabad Cantonment with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has seen new movement. President Droupadi Murmu has formally sent the matter to the Ministry of Defence for their attention and action. This development follows years of discussion and appeals from residents and local leaders who believe merging these areas will bring much-needed civic improvements. The core issue revolves around transferring administrative control of civilian areas from the Cantonment Board to the GHMC.
Background of the Merger Demand
The Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) manages civilian areas that are distinct from military installations. Residents of these civilian areas have consistently advocated for their inclusion within the GHMC. Their reasons are multifaceted:
Improved Civic Amenities: Many residents report that the SCB struggles to maintain basic infrastructure, citing issues like dilapidated roads and outdated sewage systems. A merger with GHMC is expected to lead to better maintenance and development.
Financial Benefits: Property registration stamp duties are currently higher within the Cantonment area (11%) compared to GHMC limits (7.5%). A merger is anticipated to lower these costs for property owners.
Streamlined Processes: Building plan approvals and other administrative procedures are seen as more efficient within the GHMC system. The SCB's calculation of Floor Space Index (FSI), which includes areas like parking and balconies, is also considered a disincentive by some.
Administrative Overlap: The dual administration has led to a perception of stalled development and a lack of cohesive planning for the urban area.
Several other cantonments across India have also seen their civil areas merged with nearby municipalities, a trend that residents of Secunderabad Cantonment hope to follow.
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Key Developments and Timeline
The path to this merger has been marked by numerous appeals and government actions over the past few years:
June 29, 2024: The Union Ministry of Defence issues broad guidelines for the excision of civil areas from various cantonments, including Secunderabad, and their integration with adjoining state municipalities. This move aims to transfer assets related to civic amenities and municipal services to the state government or local bodies.
June 30, 2024: The Union Government officially notifies the merger of civil areas under the Cantonment Board with GHMC. This action is credited to the efforts of Chief Minister K. M. Dayashankar Reddy, who reportedly discussed the issue frequently with the Defence Minister during visits to Delhi and also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
November 30, 2025: Residents express frustration over the stalled progress of the merger, despite assurances from local MLA Sri Ganesh that Chief Minister Reddy is prioritizing the issue.
January 25, 2026: A political row emerges over the delay in the merger. Congress leaders argue that development hinges on the merger and demand either immediate action or fresh elections for the Cantonment Board. A relay hunger strike by local MLA Sri Ganesh for the merger is reported to be in its fifth day. The Bharat Rashtra Samithi, however, insists on holding cantonment board elections.
February 10, 2026: The Ministry of Defence informs the Rajya Sabha that the issue of excising civil areas from select Cantonments, including Secunderabad, is under judicial scrutiny, including before the High Court of Telangana. Despite this, the Ministry clarifies that grants have been released to 29 cantonment boards in the current financial year.
February 21, 2026: President Droupadi Murmu refers the Secunderabad Cantonment merger issue to the Ministry of Defence, signaling renewed attention to the long-pending demand.
Conflicting Perspectives on Progress
While the general sentiment among residents and many political leaders is a strong desire for the merger, different groups highlight varying aspects of the process:
Arguments for Immediate Merger
Residents' Welfare Associations: These groups have actively campaigned for the merger, citing issues with infrastructure, administrative inefficiencies, and lack of funds within the SCB. They believe a merger is essential for development and improved living conditions.
Political Support for Merger: Leaders like Chief Minister K. M. Dayashankar Reddy and MLA Sri Ganesh have publicly championed the merger, viewing it as a critical step for the area's progress. They have engaged with central government officials to expedite the process.
Economic Advantages: Property owners and potential developers anticipate benefits from lower stamp duties and a more straightforward regulatory environment post-merger.
Concerns and Delays
Judicial Scrutiny: The Ministry of Defence has indicated that the issue of excising civil areas from cantonments is currently subject to judicial review, which could impact the timeline.
Administrative Coordination: Reports suggest a lack of proper coordination among concerned officials has slowed down the merger process, leading to frustration and calls for the formation of a dedicated committee to oversee the proceedings.
Political Opposition: While some parties strongly advocate for the merger, others, such as the Bharat Rashtra Samithi, have emphasized the need for elections to the Cantonment Board, presenting a different priority.
Evidence of Central Government Action
Multiple official announcements and government actions indicate a move towards integrating civilian areas:
Defence Ministry Notification (June 2024): The ministry formally notified the excision of civil areas from Secunderabad Cantonment and their merger with GHMC.
Issuance of Guidelines (June 2024): The Defence Estates Organisation released guidelines for the excision and merger process, stipulating that proprietary rights over assets for civic amenities would transfer to the state government or municipalities free of cost.
Presidential Reference (February 2026): The President's referral of the matter to the Ministry of Defence signifies a formal acknowledgment of the issue at the highest administrative level.
Expert Analysis
The persistent demand for the merger underscores a broader pattern of administrative challenges in areas managed by Cantonment Boards.
"Cantonment areas, by their very nature, often face unique administrative hurdles because they are governed by a specific set of rules designed for military proximity. When civilian populations grow significantly within these zones, the existing framework can become a bottleneck for modern urban development and service delivery. Merging these areas with larger municipal corporations like GHMC typically offers economies of scale and a more integrated approach to planning and resource allocation."
This perspective suggests that the delay is not solely a matter of local coordination but also reflects the inherent complexities of de-linking civilian administration from military-controlled cantonment structures.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The referral of the Secunderabad Cantonment merger issue to the Ministry of Defence by President Droupadi Murmu marks a significant step in addressing a long-standing demand. While the Union Government had previously notified the merger in June 2024, subsequent reports have highlighted delays attributed to administrative coordination and ongoing judicial scrutiny.
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The core of the issue remains the effective transfer of civilian areas from the Secunderabad Cantonment Board to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation. This process involves:
Ministry of Defence Action: The ministry is now tasked with evaluating and acting upon the President's referral. This may involve further internal reviews, consultations with other government departments, and potentially a response to the judicial observations.
Clarity on Judicial Review: Understanding the exact nature and implications of the judicial scrutiny mentioned in Rajya Sabha proceedings is crucial for determining the future path and timeline of the merger.
Resident and Stakeholder Engagement: Continued dialogue and clarity for residents and property owners are essential to manage expectations and ensure a smooth transition once the administrative and legal hurdles are cleared.
The ultimate goal is to resolve the administrative disconnect and enable integrated urban development for the civilian areas within Secunderabad Cantonment, a prospect that has been championed by residents and local leaders for years.
Sources Used
The Hindu: Published February 21, 2026. Details President Murmu's referral of the Secunderabad Cantonment merger issue to the Ministry of Defence.
Hindustan: Published June 30, 2024. Reports on the Union Government's notification of the merger and the efforts by Chief Minister K. M. Dayashankar Reddy.
Deccan Chronicle: Reported on AOL. Discusses the benefits of the SCB-GHMC merger for locals, property owners, and builders, including financial advantages like lower stamp duties.
The Times of India: Published November 30, 2025. Highlights resident frustration over the stalled merger and the civic infrastructure issues faced under SCB management.
Hyderabad Mail: Published January 25, 2026. Details the political row surrounding the merger delay, including protests and differing party stances.
Link: https://hyderabadmail.com/secunderabad-cantonment-ghmc-merger-election-row/
Siasat.com: Published June 29, 2024. Reports on the Union Ministry of Defence's decision to de-notify civil areas in Secunderabad and other cantonments, merging them with nearest municipalities.
The Hindu: Published February 10, 2026. Discusses the Secunderabad Cantonment merger issue being back in focus, with the Ministry of Defence noting it's under judicial scrutiny.
Telangana Today: Published June 29, 2024. Reports on the Union government issuing guidelines for the Secunderabad Cantonment-GHMC merger, a long-awaited aspiration.
The Hans India: Published March 3, 2025. Raises questions about the Secunderabad Cantonment-GHMC merger potentially being put on the backburner due to a slow process and lack of coordination.
