Hyderabad: Hyderabad’s growth story is getting a fresh push, with the state govt doubling down on big-ticket infrastructure and urban expansion, turning the city and its surrounding belt into the centrepiece of its budget strategy. Reaffirming its focus on the core urban region (CURE) of Greater Hyderabad and areas up to the Outer Ring Road (ORR), the govt has lined up major investments in projects such as the Musi riverfront, Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) and Hyderabad City Innovative and Transformative Infrastructure (H-CITI) scheme. At the heart of this push is H-CITI, a flagship initiative of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation aimed at building critical urban infrastructure, including flyovers. While the municipal administration department has been allocated ₹17,907 crore, the govt said it has already sanctioned works worth ₹43,592 crore for Hyderabad and surrounding areas through various agencies. Of this, projects worth ₹24,752 crore are already under way, with another ₹19,000 crore expected to be cleared this financial year. The H-CITI scheme alone has been allocated ₹2,654 crore. Musi rejuvenationAllocations for Hyderabad have steadily risen. From ₹10,000 crore in 2024-25 to ₹12,000 crore in 2025-26, the increase this year is attributed to new corporations, CURE initiative and flagship projects such as the Musi rejuvenation plan. The intensified focus also comes against the backdrop of impending civic polls in key urban bodies within the CURE jurisdiction, including GHMC, Cyberabad and Malkajgiri municipal corporations. The GHMC council’s term ended last month, adding urgency to the govt’s urban push, analysts said. Among the marquee projects is the Musi riverfront development, with the Congress govt prioritising works such as the Gandhi Sarovar near Bapu Ghat. Around ₹1,500 crore has been earmarked for the project. “The govt is developing the prestigious Gandhi Sarovar project. This includes river cleaning, flood control, riverfront development, and the creation of recreational facilities for the public. We will provide rehabilitation to people living in the Musi river buffer zone from a humane perspective, without causing them any hardship,” senior officials said. Rs 600 cr for land acquisitionTransport infrastructure is also a key focus. The budget allocates ₹600 crore for land acquisition for Hyderabad metro phase II, particularly the MGBS-Falaknuma stretch, while ₹500 crore has been sanctioned to HMR. The govt reiterated its plan to take over phase I and push ahead with phases II and III.“Our govt is taking necessary steps to make it comparable with international cities. With the cooperation of people, institutions, NGOs, CSR partners and others, it is launching many new initiatives. Hyderabad is among the fastest-growing cities. Yet, the govt is not stopping there. We are working with the aim that every town and city in Telangana should develop like Hyderabad,” finance minister Bhatti Vikramarka said in his budget speech. With the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board’s jurisdiction now extended up to the ORR, the govt has allowed it to raise a ₹1,000 crore loan for the Sunkishala intake project. It has also cleared projects to strengthen drinking water supply, including the Godavari drinking water scheme, new reservoirs and 39 sewage treatment plants at various stages of execution. HMDA’s major plansMeanwhile, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority is pushing ahead with large-scale infrastructure works—from a greenfield expressway and elevated corridors between Paradise and Shamirpet/Medchal to heritage conservation in the Charminar and Laad Bazaar areas. Pedestrian-friendly upgrades, eco-tourism at Kurmidda in Rangareddy district, radial roads linking the ORR and Regional Ring Road, road-widening and skywalks are also part of the expanding urban blueprint. Together, the projects signal a clear thrust: To scale up Hyderabad’s infrastructure, deepen its urban footprint and position it as the growth engine for the state, an official said. GFX:HYDRAA was established for the protection of public assets and disaster management. So far, it has recovered 1,045 acres of govt land from encroachments, with an estimated value of around 60,000 crore.
