HYDERABAD — In a major move to digitize urban governance and plug revenue leakages, the Telangana Government has initiated a pilot project to integrate Property Tax, Electricity, and Water bills into a single “Common Billing System.” The project, which officially moved into its field-survey phase on Monday, February 2, 2026, aims to simplify the lives of over 1.9 million property owners in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits.
1. The Pilot Project: GHMC “Single Platform”
The system is modeled after successful unified billing structures in Mumbai and Bengaluru.
- The Survey: Joint teams consisting of GHMC Bill Collectors and TGSPDCL (Power) Meter Readers are visiting homes to map mobile numbers and Property Tax Identification Numbers (PTINs) with electricity service numbers.
- Timeline: The data mapping exercise is mandated to be completed by February 15, 2026.
- The Platform: A dedicated mobile app (developed by the State IT wing) is currently under review and will be launched following the survey’s completion.
2. Revenue Goals: The ₹3,000 Crore Target
While the move offers convenience to citizens, its primary objective is to identify tax discrepancies.
- Commercial vs. Residential: Officials estimate that nearly 93,000 commercial buildings are currently paying residential-rate property taxes while utilizing commercial electricity connections.
- Missing Links: Approximately 70,000 buildings are currently entirely outside the property tax net.
- The Payoff: By rectifying these assessments, the GHMC expects a revenue boost of ₹600 crore immediately, with an ultimate target of raising ₹3,000 crore through stricter enforcement.
3. Key Challenges & The “Monthly” Gap
Despite the push for a “Common Bill,” a significant administrative hurdle remains:
- Billing Cycles: Electricity and water are billed monthly, whereas property tax in Telangana is historically paid half-yearly or annually.
- The Solution: Officials are considering an “optional” feature in the new app where citizens can view their total annual property tax dues alongside their monthly utility bills, potentially moving toward a voluntary monthly installment plan in the future.
4. How It Works for Citizens
Once the survey is finalized, the billing process will shift to a Digital-First approach:
- Registration: Users log in to the new app using their linked mobile number.
- Dashboard: All three bills (PTIN, Water Connection, and Electricity Service Number) will appear on a single dashboard.
- One-Click Pay: Citizens can pay all three dues in a single transaction or choose individual payments.