HYDERABAD: The Telangana govt’s ambitious Core Urban Region (CURE) Bill, 2026 promises tougher laws, steeper penalties and stricter civic regulations to transform Hyderabad into a cleaner, greener and better-managed metropolis.However, Hyderabad’s biggest challenge is not the absence of laws but weak enforcement. As the draft Bill is open for public suggestions, experts and urban planners say its success will depend on implementation rather than legislation. The real test for the CURE Bill will be whether it succeeds where previous regulations have fallen short – on implementation.
Plastic ban only on paper
Take single-use plastic. The new bill proposes fines of up to ₹3 lakh for repeat violations of the single-use plastic ban, while first-time offenders could face a ₹50,000 penalty. Individuals using banned plastic products may be fined up to ₹1,000. Despite various existing restrictions, authorities have collected only about Rs 35 lakh in penalties over the past four years, highlighting the gap between law and enforcement.“While the city has expanded nearly threefold, the civic workforce has not kept pace with the city’s growth. Effective implementation of the proposed laws will require significant capacity building, adequate staffing and stronger coordination among departments. More importantly, if the government wants these reforms to succeed, it must actively involve citizens and Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) at the ward level, making them partners in monitoring and implementation rather than mere stakeholders,” said a one of the top urban planners in Hyderabad.“No law or policy can be implemented effectively unless there is a robust system to monitor, measure and map compliance. Without these three pillars, implementation risks remain only on paper. Policies should not end with notification. They must be backed by a transparent monitoring system and ensuring accountability at every level,” said KM Lakshmana Rao, expert in disaster management.
Illegal structures rampant
The illegal constructions tell a similar story. Thousands of notices have been issued over the years, but demolitions and punitive action have remained limited, with fewer than 15% of violations seeing meaningful enforcement.Before the bifurcation of the 650 sq km GHMC, around 2,000 illegal structures were identified in 2025, most of them in Hyderabad’s western corridor.In the last year alone, Cyberabad Municipal Corporation (CMC) detected 784 illegal constructions, of which only about 70 were demolished or sealed.Now, the draft Bill proposes a 300% higher property tax on unauthorized buildings. For instance, a property paying ₹10,000 annually would have to pay ₹40,000 if found unauthorized. “The objective of steep penalties is to deter illegal constructions. A dedicated tribunal will also be set up to deal with such cases,” said GHMC commissioner RV Karnan.
Recurring floods
The draft proposes a dedicated Climate Action Cell to prepare climate resilience plans and identify flood-prone communities. However, Hyderabad’s flooding problem has persisted despite multiple initiatives.“The city’s biggest problem is poor rainwater mobility. Every spell of heavy rain leaves roads waterlogged. Before introducing new policies, the govt should first ensure strict implementation of the WALTA Act, 2002, which mandates recharge pits as a precondition for providing water connections,” said B Venkateswara Rao, retired professor, Centre for Water Resources, JNTUH.
