The entire Smart Cities Mission in Telangana has a two-part structure. It uses an area-based development (ABD) model, which focuses on small, specific areas through retrofitting, redevelopment, or greenfield projects. Then, it uses a pan-city solutions model, where technology is deployed across the city, impacting all areas simultaneously. Telangana’s approach is very strategic. The state chose major urban centers as the focus of this comprehensive plan.
Selected Smart Cities in Telangana
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India, has decided to give approvals to only three cities in Telangana for the mega project. And here’s what we get to work with:
- Greater Warangal: This historical powerhouse was chosen first. It has the tough job of balancing all of its wonderful ancient heritage and embedding all the new, complex systems.
- Karimnagar: Picked in the 3rd round of selection. This city has the biggest task of enhancing all the core municipal services and improving urban transit and mobility to a much higher level for its large population.
- Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC): This one was not in the first 100 SCM list. Placing Hyderabad here is a bit of a stretch, but lets be honest, It has the audacity to be the first smart city in the country. It applies all the new smart technologies and governance systems to themselves, often exceeding the SCM requirements.
- Nalgonda: Nalgonda Smart City project is often termed as the ‘Super Smart City’ initiative. It is a flagship urban redevelopment initiative of the Telangana government, aimed at transforming Nalgonda into a modern city similar to Hyderabad.
The funding provided for the Smart Cities projects in Telangana is tremendous. Money is being used collaboratively for the enhancement of governance, infrastructure, and the delivery of public services.
Smart Cities in Telangana: Execution Status
The chosen cities have a variety of projects underway. These projects are diversified into the two models: Area-Based Development (ABD) and Pan-City. This represents the state’s sustained and strong belief in change that can be seen and measured.
Warangal: History Meets High-Tech
Warangal is one of the oldest cities in Telangana, so the need for a careful approach to striking the necessary balance between preserving and developing is critical.
- ABD Showcase: The area restoration of Warangal Fort and the full redevelopment of the Bhadrakali Lakefront are projects of great importance. These will facilitate the conservation of public heritage areas, and the construction of pedestrian-friendly spaces and public facilities.
- Energy Solutions Implemented: The city has smart street lights with LEDs and motion sensors, and this has considerably reduced the amount of energy used in the city.
Karimnagar: Service Delivery Gets a Boost
Karimnagar’s mission is quite simple. The aim is to leverage technology to greatly improve the day to day activities of the citizens.
- City-Wide Tech Rollout: Smart transport management systems have been implemented for city-wide control of traffic flow and enforcement of traffic regulations through surveillance cameras.
- Revitalised and Redeveloped Public Spaces: The city has multiple projects aimed at improving and redeveloping public gardens and marketplaces.
Hyderabad: The Technology Powerhouse
Led by Greater Hyderabad, the state tech flagship is evolving as a technology epicenter and commanding large scale ‘smart’ projects that integrate seamlessly with the State Capital Region (SCR) objectives.
- Advantage of Tech Ecosystem: The state is a home for the renowned T-Hub and leading startups and technology ecosystem, which is a considerable infrastructure and support for rapid deployment of advanced integrated smart city technologies.
- Safety and Surveillance: The city has one of the widest coverage of HD CCTV network in India, which is a great support to the ‘copless society’ vision. The network is integrated for traffic management and crime surveillance from the large Integrated Command Control Centre (ICCC) for Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).
- Impact on Real Estate: These projects are positively affecting the local real estate market and increasing the demand for real estate in Hyderabad; demand is especially high in the tech-enabled, modern and safe zones.
Nalgonda Smart City
Nalgonda has reached a historic milestone. The first Smart City project has helped Nalgonda be elevated officially to a Municipal Corporation. This means Nalgonda can now access direct central funding, which will fast-track several mega projects.
Key Features & Planned Infrastructure
- Outer Ring Road (ORR) A primary 360-degree ring road is in the works, which will help the city center and provide funding to address decongestion issues. The expected cost for this project is estimated to be in the range of Rs 700 to 900 crores.
- Integrated Logistics Hub: The Smart City will have a freight and commercial zone located on the Hyderabad–Vijayawada corridor.
- Smart Civic Services: The UGD: The drainage systems will be expanded, which is estimated to be in the range of Rs 216 to 272 crores.
- Road Connectivity: Up to Dharveshpuram, there is the expansion of 6 lanes. Also, there is a bypass road estimated at Rs 545 crores and several fly-overs, including one at the Marriguda-Cherlapally junction.
Nalgonda Smart City: Current Status
- Approval: The state government issued a Government Order (GO) in early 2025 approving the updated Master Plan.
- Execution: Currently active construction is ongoing for most of the road and drainage systems. As of mid January 2026, the construction of several internal roads has reached 70% completion.
- Legal Status: The city has now become eligible for ‘Smart Cities Mission’ style funding after its recent upgrade to Municipal Corporation. The funding comes from both the state and central pools.
- Cost: The Telangana government has pledged a significant financial commitment to accelerate development. The projected budget allocated for the development is approximately Rs 4,000 crore.
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