HMDA opens doors to Uppal Bhagat plot owners

​Hyderabad: Anyone wishing to construct a building in GHMC limits has to knock the doors of the civic body to get the permission to go ahead with the concrete work in an open plot. But, in a shift from regular practice, Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) will be donning this role for Uppal Bhagat layout near Uppal.

Usually building permissions in HMDA limits (including GHMC area) is handled by GHMC and on city outskirts it is taken care of local civic bodies (if below 18 metres of height). HMDA comes into picture only in case of permissions for high storey buildings and that too in gram panchayats on city outskirts.

Uppal Bhagat layout is very much in GHMC limits, but HMDA took up the matter as a special case. Farmers here gave away their lands to state government for Musi river conservation and riverfront development project and after 13 years of wait were given developed plots in return only in 2017.

In recent months registration of plots was also completed paving way for land awardees to go for building constructions. Building permission process consumes atleast one and half months to two months’ time and due to presence of 1,350 vacant plots in Uppal Bhagat layout, the metropolitan body took the lead to make job easier for farmers.

After consultations with GHMC, HMDA had written to MA & UD department to give permission to sanction building plans applied by Uppal Bhagat plot owners.

It may be mentioned here that government in combined Andhra Pradesh acquired nearly 761 acres of land in Uppal Bhagat, Uppal mandal, Ranga Reddy district for Musi project. Farmers did not agree for monetary compensation and instead requested the government to give developed plots (1000 sq. yards per one acre of land contributed).

Nearly 650 awardees were given allotment certificates pertaining to 1,350 plots of sizes 150 square yards to 2,000 square yards, with some of them getting two or more plots of different categories. HMDA developed 413 acres of the total land as per prescribed lay out norms including wide roads, open spaces for distribution to farmers.

Elaborating details, Planning Director S Balakrishna said that they have set up an exclusive desk at HMDA office to handle building permissions for Uppal Bhagat plot owners.

“A five-member team comprising planning officials is tasked with the job. We will strive to expedite permission process and try to give sanction in a week to ten days time. It is now left to plot owners to make use of this excellent opportunity," he said.

Meanwhile, Dubba Narasimha Reddy of Uppal Bhagat plot owners association said that many beneficiaries are waiting for HMDA decision on decision to change zone (residential to commercial) to go ahead with building constructions.