Tag: Andhra Pradesh

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Andhra Pradesh Launches Unified Urban Zoning Policy

VIJAYAWADA: In a significant move towards organized urban development, the state government has launched a unified zoning policy for all municipal corporations, municipalities, and urban development authorities. This initiative aims to resolve confusion stemming from inconsistent zoning regulations and to encourage sustainable growth in both urban and semi-urban regions through standardized land use guidelines. Previously, the state operated under 16 distinct land use categories, which often resulted in overlapping regulations and administrative hurdles. The decision to implement uniform zoning was made following comprehensive research conducted by a team of officials who explored best practices in states such as Odisha, Tamil…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

World Bank to Release $200M for Amaravati by December 2025

AMARAVATI: The World Bank has committed USD 800 million for the development of Amaravati Capital Phase-I and is anticipated to release the second installment of USD 200 million by the end of this year, according to a senior official from the Andhra Pradesh government. The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) are each contributing USD 800 million, totaling USD 1.6 billion (approximately Rs 13,600 crore), for the Phase-I development of Amaravati. In addition, the Centre will contribute Rs 1,400 crore from its overall commitment of Rs 15,000 crore for this phase. As part of its commitment, the World…

CommercialLatest Stories

Andhra Pradesh Forms Council to Attract GCCs

VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh government has taken significant steps to establish the state as a prominent hub for Global Capability Centres (GCCs) by forming a comprehensive GCC advisory council. This initiative gathers CXOs from global companies, influential industry bodies like NASSCOM, business councils, consulting experts, real estate developers, and renowned academic institutions. The aim is to invigorate GCC investments and elevate AP’s status as a leader in the digital economy. IT, electronics, and HRD minister Nara Lokesh will lead the advisory council. GCCs serve as strategic units for multinational corporations, handling functions such as R&D, IT, finance, procurement, and customer…

IndustryLatest Stories

Andhra Pradesh earmarks land for private industrial park in Nellore

Representative AI image VIJAYAWADA: The state government has allocated 2,776 acres of land to IFFCO-SEZ in the Nellore district to pave the way for a significant private industrial SEZ. The company plans to invest ₹870 crore and create approximately 70,000 jobs. Andhra Pradesh’s new policy for establishing private industrial parks (2024-29) provides ‘plug and play’ industrial infrastructure. The aim is to enhance the development of world-class industrial parks through private sector initiatives, fostering job creation and investment by cultivating a favorable investment climate in the state. This policy will support world-class operations and maintenance in these parks, while creating a…

IndustryLatest Stories

Andhra Pradesh Real Estate Sector Shows Recovery Signs

VIJAYAWADA: After a five-year stagnation, the real estate sector in Andhra Pradesh appears to be experiencing new growth. There has been an uptick in land transactions throughout the state, reflecting a renewed interest from buyers in real estate investments. The increase in revenue from stamp duties and registrations further indicates a recovery in the market. The stamps and registrations department reported a 46% revenue growth in the first quarter of the current financial year compared to the same period in 2024. The year-to-date growth stands at 39%, signaling a positive shift for the sector. Following the launch of projects worth…

IndustryLatest Stories

Only 29% of Plots Sold in Andhra’s MIG Housing Scheme

Representative image created by AI VISAKHAPATNAM: Nearly three years after its launch, Andhra Pradesh’s ‘Smart Townships’ initiative, now known as ‘NTR Smart Townships’ under the new administration, has struggled to fulfill its commitment to providing affordable housing options for middle-income groups (MIG). Out of 36 projects initiated across various Assembly constituencies, a mere 29% of plots have been sold, generating only 23% of the anticipated revenue. Additionally, urban development authorities (UDAs) have approved 38 more projects across 37 constituencies, currently in diverse stages of development. The scheme’s underperformance can be attributed to several factors, including an income cap of ₹18…

CommercialLatest Stories

Andhra HC Denies Stay on TCS Land Allotment in Vizag

Representational image VIJAYAWADA: On Wednesday, the high court ruled against halting the land allocation to Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in Visakhapatnam. The court noted that many states offer land to companies at minimal costs to attract investments, questioning what issue arises if Andhra Pradesh adopts a similar approach. However, the high court indicated that the allotment is contingent upon the final decision regarding the petition. Nakka Nammi Grace, president of the Society for Protection of Civil Property and Environmental Rights in Visakhapatnam, filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), arguing that the government’s allocation of land to TCS violates APIIC guidelines.…

IndustryLatest Stories

Andhra Pradesh extends LRS guidelines cut-off to June 30

VIJAYAWADA: The state government has instructed municipal commissioners and urban development authority vice-chairpersons to address all outstanding applications under the Layout Regularisation Scheme (LRS). In light of the cabinet’s recent endorsement of the proposal, the municipal administration department has disseminated comprehensive guidelines for the implementation of the LRS regulations. This initiative is expected to benefit plot owners in unauthorized layouts covering approximately 18,000 acres statewide. As per reports, the Director of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) provided the state government with data indicating that around 14,535 unauthorized layouts, spanning nearly 78,452 acres, were recorded in the UCIMS app by Urban…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Andhra Pradesh to Reintroduce BPS & LRS to Curb Illegal Builds

Representative image created by AI VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh government plans to reintroduce the Building Penalisation Scheme (BPS) and Layout Regularisation Scheme (LRS) aimed at regulating illegal structures and layouts across the state. These schemes were in effect during the TDP administration from 2014 to 2019. In response to the rising number of constructions lacking necessary permissions, the government aims to relaunch these initiatives to also boost state revenues. The cabinet is anticipated to review the proposal in their upcoming meeting. The municipal administration and urban development department is preparing a strategy to address the issue of illegal structures and…

IndustryLatest Stories

Land registration freeze over ‘tampered’ records in AP

Representative image created by AI VIJAYAWADA: The state government appears to be at a standstill regarding the contentious issue of free-hold lands. Registration for approximately 20 lakh acres of assigned lands has been halted due to suspicions of record tampering. Despite conducting village-level revenue meetings to review land records, the government has failed to address the free-hold lands issue over the past year. Hundreds of thousands of farmers are struggling to sell their lands while the government delays in lifting the ban on registrations for lands marked in the prohibitory lands register. A Group of Ministers (GoM) has been appointed…