Builders in Telangana Advocate for Regulated Farm Plotting in Conservation Areas
In a significant move aimed at reshaping development on the outskirts of Hyderabad, real estate developers and builders in Telangana have formally requested the state government to allow farm and farmhouse plotting under conservation land use. This proposal includes clearly defined size and construction limits, which industry representatives argue would curb unregulated growth, bring order to existing grey zones, and generate steady revenue for the government.
Proposed Regulations for Farmhouse Plots
During a recent meeting with officials from the municipal administration department, representatives from prominent builders' associations, including NAREDCO and CREDAI, put forward specific guidelines. They suggested permitting farmhouse plots with a minimum size of 10 guntas, approximately 1,200 square yards. The proposal outlines a maximum building coverage of 25%, a height restriction of six meters (allowing for ground plus one floor), and permission only for plots adjacent to 30-foot-wide roads.
According to the associations, implementing such norms would encourage planned development while enabling the state to collect building and development fees systematically. This approach is seen as a way to address the current challenges of illegal layouts that have proliferated in conservation and bio-conservation zones, particularly in areas governed by GO 111, such as Moinabad, Mokila, Shankarpally, Gandipet, and surrounding regions.
Current Challenges and Illegal Practices
At present, large tracts of land in these conservation zones have witnessed the mushrooming of unauthorized layouts. Developers have been carving out farmhouse plots ranging from 10 to 20 guntas, often offering to construct farmhouses or weekend homes. Many of these plots are sold alongside plantations, with developers collecting monthly maintenance charges for years. However, legally, these plots remain classified as agricultural land, and under existing building and layout rules, no construction is permitted in conservation or bio-conservation zones. Even a small residential structure requires a formal change of land use, highlighting the regulatory gap.
Government Response and Unified Building Rules
Officials from the municipal administration department have indicated that the government will examine the proposal in detail, weighing its advantages and drawbacks before making a decision. They suggested that these suggestions could be considered during the framing of the unified building rules, which the department is currently in the process of finalizing. This potential integration into broader regulations underscores the government's intent to streamline development processes.
Divergent Views Within the Real Estate Sector
Not all stakeholders within the real estate fraternity are in agreement with the proposal. A president of a builders' association has strongly opposed any relaxation in GO 111 areas, arguing that allowing construction would undermine the very purpose of bio-conservation zones. He also pointed out that several illegal farmhouses and buildings have already emerged in these regions, raising concerns about environmental impact and regulatory enforcement.
Additional Concessions and Streamlined Approvals
In a separate development, the state government has agreed to another long-standing demand from developers: allowing clubhouses in plotted layouts. Developers noted that buyers increasingly expect such amenities, and they proposed making clubhouses optional, with partial occupancy certificates issued for completed layouts. The final occupancy certificate would be linked to whether the clubhouse is constructed, a suggestion that municipal administration officials have accepted.
Furthermore, the government has committed to integrating no-objection certificates from departments such as fire and mining to streamline approval processes. Officials have also assured developers that various charges, including impact fees, growth corridor fees, development fees, environmental fees, and seigniorage, will be rationalized and simplified under the new building rules, aiming to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and foster a more efficient development environment.
