Telangana Cabinet decides to hold polls in 116 municipalities, 7 municipal corporations in Feb

Hyderabad: The Telangana Cabinet has decided to hold polls in 116 municipalities and 7 municipal corporations, covering 2,996 wards and divisions, in February. The Cabinet has also approved land acquisition proposals with an estimated cost of ₹2,787 crore for Hyderabad Metro Rail.

It was for the first time in Telangana’s history that the Cabinet meeting was held outside Hyderabad in Mulugu district on January 18.

Held at Haritha Hotel, Medaram, the meeting was aimed at strengthening grassroots governance.

Decentralisation of power

Several important decisions were taken in the meeting to decentralise power from urban Hyderabad to a remote tribal forested region.

Here are the decisions taken in the meeting:

Municipal Elections

•The State Cabinet decided to conduct municipal elections at the earliest.

•Elections are due in 116 municipalities and 7 municipal corporations, covering 2,996 wards/divisions where terms have expired.

•The reservation process has been completed based on the Dedicated Commission report.

•The Cabinet directed officials to make all arrangements to hold elections in February.

•Since Ramzan and Shivaratri fall in February, officials were asked to prepare the election schedule in a way that avoids inconvenience during festivals.

Godavari Pushkaralu – 2027

•Godavari Pushkaralu will be held from July 27 to August 3, 2027.

•The Cabinet decided to soon constitute a Cabinet Sub-Committee to develop major and ancient temples and promote eco-tourism in the Godavari river belt from Basar to Bhadrachalam.

•A plan will be prepared to develop the Basar–Bhadrachalam circuit.

•Officials were directed to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) jointly by the Endowments, Revenue, Forest, Tourism, and Archaeology departments.

•The Chief Minister instructed that a comprehensive plan be ready by March 31.

Hyderabad Metro Rail

•The Cabinet reviewed the progress made so far on taking over Hyderabad Metro Rail Phase-I from L&T and decided to speed up the process.

•Proposals for four corridors under Phase-IIA and three corridors under Phase-IIB are pending approval from the Central Government.

•Meanwhile, the Cabinet decided to fast-track land acquisition.

•Land acquisition proposals with an estimated cost of ₹2,787 crore were approved.

University Posts

•Approval was given for 24 new posts in the Law College and 28 new posts in the Pharmacy College of Mahatma Gandhi University, Nalgonda district.

•Approval was also given for the Registrar post in Veeranari Chakali Ilamma Women’s University.

Eco Town Development

•The Cabinet approved the allocation of 494 acres of land to TGIIC for Eco Town development in Abdullapur Mandal, near Hyderabad.

New Road to Ease Traffic

•To address traffic congestion in Hyderabad city, the Cabinet approved the construction of a new 9 km road from ICCC, Banjara Hills, to Shilpa Layout Road.

Potlapur Lift Irrigation Project

•The Cabinet approved the Potlapur Lift Irrigation Project in the Mulugu district.

•Water will be lifted from Ramappa Cheruvu to supply 5 villages and fill 30 tanks/ponds, besides irrigating 7,500 acres.

•The project will be taken up with an estimated cost of ₹143 crore.