Hyderabad: Over a decade after Telangana expanded from 10 to 33 districts, the state government has reopened discussions on reorganising districts to address administrative inefficiencies and governance challenges. Officials indicate that the government is considering reducing the number of districts from 33 to 23 to streamline administration.
The previous BRS-led reorganisation included the creation of new districts, revenue divisions, and mandals. While intended to improve local governance, issues have emerged over the years, including constituencies spanning multiple districts, mandals located far from district headquarters, and administrative overlaps, which have complicated fund allocation, development projects, and service delivery.
Judicial Committee to Guide Reorganisation
To ensure a systematic approach, the government has set up a judicial committee to review revenue divisions, mandals, and constituencies. The committee will examine areas where mandals cross district or parliamentary boundaries and recommend changes to align administrative units within a single district or constituency wherever possible.
Background of Previous Reorganisation
At the time of Telangana’s formation, the state had 10 districts, 48 revenue divisions, and 466 mandals. In 2016, the government created 31 new districts, 74 revenue divisions, and 584 mandals. Subsequent adjustments in 2020–21 added new districts and mandals, bringing the totals to 33 districts, 74 revenue divisions, and 612 mandals. Currently, proposals include the creation of 12 new revenue divisions and 25 mandals to address gaps in administrative coverage.
Officials note that past reorganisation created challenges, including mandals far from district centers, overlapping zones, and constituencies spanning multiple districts. These issues have complicated coordination between officials, impacting development work and service delivery.
Central Approval Required
Any further reorganisation, including renaming districts or adjusting boundaries, requires clearances from central agencies such as the Railways, Postal Department, and Survey of India. Additionally, with the nationwide census ongoing, authorities caution that district boundary changes may not be implemented until the census is completed, and explicit approval from the central government will be necessary.
The government has emphasised that the reorganisation will follow a scientific and systematic approach, aiming to improve administrative efficiency, accessibility, and governance for citizens across Telangana.