Hyderabad has moved to a new urban governance framework with the Core Urban Region (Integrated Governance) Act, 2026, known as the CURE Act. The Act replaces the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Act, 1955, which had governed the city for about 70 years.
The new framework brings the core urban region within the Outer Ring Road (ORR) under a coordinated structure involving the GHMC, Cyberabad Municipal Corporation and Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation. The area covered is around 2,053 square kilometres.
A major change concerns property tax. The CURE Act moves away from the traditional Annual Rental Value (ARV) method towards a Capital Value System (CVS). Guideline values and property valuations will therefore have a greater role in the new tax framework.
The Act also provides for digital building permissions and stronger action against unauthorised construction. The changes place greater importance on approvals, building permissions and compliance with construction rules for property owners and developers.
Under the integrated framework, the corporations are to coordinate planning for infrastructure and civic services across the metropolitan region. The areas covered include roads, traffic, utilities, lakes, nalas and storm-water drainage, as well as environmental protection and climate resilience.
For Hyderabad’s real-estate sector, the changes affect issues such as property taxation, development permissions and construction compliance. Buyers and investors in residential, commercial and land assets will need to consider the applicable approvals and valuations. This includes properties in the city’s rapidly developing western corridor.
Key implementation matters include the rollout of the Capital Value System, revised guideline values and coordination among the three municipal corporations. The CURE framework covers around 2,053 square kilometres within the ORR.
