HMDA’s ‘Green Channel’ Scheme to Sanction Layout Approvals

The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has extended the ‘green carpet’ to property developers under its jurisdiction. From 1st January, 2014, the HMDA started sanctioning layout approvals under the ‘Green Channel’ scheme. Based on the success of this program, this facility will also be extended in a phased manner to other housing projects. This includes approvals for buildings, multi-storied complexes, gated communities and individual houses as well.

Specifics of ‘Green Channel’ scheme

The primary objective of the ‘Green Channel‘ is to facilitate necessary clearances required for going ahead with various commercial and residential projects. This would come as a major relief for applicants planning to embark on such projects as they would, otherwise, have to run around to obtain various permissions from different offices. However, initially, the applicant who may be the developer or the owner has to seek the assistance of a document auditor as well as the building architect for scrutiny of documents. These may relate to ownership, title as well as layout/building plans so as to ascertain whether they are according to the rules and regulation specified by the authority.

Following this, the applicant has to submit the application along with all the supporting documents, the draft mortgage, plans as well as the required fees at the Citizen Facilitation Centre set up by the HDMA. In case of mortgage of property it is required that 15% of the plotted area be marked on the plan. Besides, the area that is required to be mortgaged should be adjoining the main roads.

Scrutiny of documents and inspection procedures

The document auditors as well as the architects would be enlisted by the HMDA for the scrutinising of documents. The validity of the license given for auditors and architects would be for two years. It is required that the chief planning officer of the respective areas have to inspect the layout and check the relevant documents within 30 days of receiving the application. The inspection of the layout should be carried out in the presence of the concerned officers, the architect and the applicant in cases where the layout is in the vicinity of water bodies, airports, heritage structures as well as any such sensitive location.

Builders and developers included in discussions

The application could be rejected in case it does not conform to the rules and regulations stipulated or the supporting documents are not valid. The applicant may be called by the authorities to seek a clarification. In such cases, the applicant has to resubmit the application along with the processing fee to the authority. Incidentally, the HMDA had decided to introduce the ‘Green Channel’ at its board meeting a month back. It had held meetings with builders and developers to pool their views. Many developers had requested the HMDA to grant building approvals along with layout approvals. However, the authority is employing a wait and watch strategy in this regard.