KUDA identifies unapproved layouts in Kurnool, to initiate action

Kurnool Urban Development Authority chairman, Somisetty Venkateswarlu addressing the media in Kurnool. File photo
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

Kurnool Urban Development Authority (KUDA) has identified nearly 275 unapproved layouts in its jurisdiction and is all set to take action against them. These non-approved layouts have come up over the past few years and a majority of them during the previous YSRC regime, officials said.

The Authority is also initiating action against the hotels that were constructed in violation of the approved plan in the famous pilgrim town of Mantralayam.

Speaking with The Hindu, KUDA chairman Somishetty Venkateswarlu said he personally visited several villages and found that majority of layouts were not having approval from the authority. “Following this, we have given wide publicity in the villages not to purchase plots in non-approved layouts and avoid investing in them,’’ he said.

Mr. Venkateswarlu said those who buy plots in non-approved layouts will end up in various complications including inability to get a loan on their house.

It came to the notice of the KUDA officials that the layout promoters have taken permission from the local panchayats by claiming that they are constructing houses in a lesser extend of land and got water and power connections. The panchayat secretary can give permission for less than seven cents of lands only.

With this, the KUDA is also planning to hold a workshop with all the panchayat secretaries and educate them to insist the promoters to get their layouts approved by the KUDA.

The KUDA had now served notices on the promoters to get the layouts regularised. With the layouts taken up without permission, the KUDA had lost a revenue of nearly ₹3 crore, he said.

Meanwhile, the KUDA found that several people have constructed buildings in violation of the approved plans in Mantralayam and are using for commercial purpose. “Permission was taken to construct a Ground +2 building but more number of floors were constructed by some hoteliers. Some have not even taken permission and we have served notices on them. We will demolish the unauthorised buildings, if they do not get them regularised,’’ Mr. Venkateswarlu said.