AP government speeds up LRS clearances ahead of April 23 deadline

Vijayawada: With the deadline for the layout regularisation scheme (LRS) fast approaching next week, the state govt has intensified efforts to maximise revenue by expediting the disposal of pending applications across urban local bodies. Municipal administration and urban development minister P Narayana reviewed the progress with town planning officials and municipal commissioners through a teleconference, directing them to clear all eligible applications immediately. He stressed that delays in approvals not only inconvenience applicants but also impact the state's revenue mobilisation drive. The minister made it clear that commissioners and town planning officials will be held responsible if any lapses are found in the processing of the applications. "We wanted to allow all those who could not cover it in the past. However, the deliberate delay in clearing the applications will not be spared," said Narayana.The govt has set a clear focus on bringing all unauthorised layouts into the legal framework under LRS, which is aimed at promoting planned urban development while plugging revenue leakages. Officials were instructed to ensure that applications meeting eligibility norms are approved without procedural delays.The current LRS window, which has been extended multiple times, will close shortly. The latest extension fixed the deadline as April 23, following a surge in applications from plot owners seeking regularisation. According to official data, more than 61,000 applications have been received under the ongoing LRS phase, reflecting a significant increase compared with previous rounds. The scheme applies to unapproved layouts and plots across municipal areas and urban development authority jurisdictions, helping owners secure legal status for their properties.The LRS framework mandates a minimum application fee of Rs 10,000 and offers a time-bound approval process, with authorities required to clear eligible applications within a stipulated period. Failure to regularise plots could result in denial of building permissions, registration issues and even inclusion in the prohibitory property watch list, officials have cautioned.The state has identified a large number of unauthorised layouts over the years. Estimates indicate that more than 14,500 such layouts covering more than 78,000 acres were detected, highlighting the scale of the challenge and the potential revenue scope.By accelerating approvals in the final phase, the govt aims to ensure that genuine applicants benefit from the scheme while also strengthening urban planning systems. The drive is expected to significantly boost revenues, part of which will also be shared with local bodies to improve civic infrastructure and services. Principal secretary S Suresh Kumar and CDMA Sampath Kumar were also present.