Greater Hyderabad: Hyderabad just grew up: three and a half times larger, with 50 per cent more people and a new identity.

Greater Hyderabad is the country's second largest city after the state government merged 12 municipalities together.

Though it could mean paying more in taxes and property, the government denies this.

"There's no uniform policy for taxes at one level. If they're in hi-tech city and getting good rentals, they will have to pay more taxes. Similarly, those getting less rentals will pay less. We're not increasing any taxes," Minister-in-charge of Hyderabad, Mohammed Ali Shabbir.

But the devil is in the details, with the unit for area measurements changing from meters to feet, some areas will have to pay higher property tax.

In other areas, building permission fees and water cesses will almost double making property more expensive.

In addition, Hyderabad's chronic water problems will get worse with Greater Hyderabad needing double the amount being supplied now.

The government, however, says it has everything figured out.

"There may be a maximum shortage of about 10 MGD, but now we've got an installed capacity which is about to be commenced, the second phase of Krishna, which will give the city another 90 MGD," said Managing Director, Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB), Dr K S Jawahar Reddy.

The government says it will spend nearly Rs 2800 crores to develop the megacity but will living in Greater Hyderabad really be great?