SRIKAKULAM: The real estate surge near the under-construction greenfield port at Mulapeta in Santabommali mandal is proving lucrative for some realtors, who are reportedly deceiving buyers with unauthorized layouts. Many of these realtors are allegedly converting agricultural land into residential plots, violating regulations without providing layout plans to prospective buyers.
The rapid development of the port has invigorated the real estate market, leading to numerous unauthorized layouts in adjacent villages. A senior official from the directorate of town and country planning, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that out of approximately 90 ventures near Mulapeta Port, only six to eight possess the required permissions. The majority of unauthorized layouts are found in Naupada, Santabommali, Dandugopalapuram, Borubhadra, Ijjuvaram, Palatalagam, and other localities.
These realtors are allegedly bypassing necessary approvals for land conversion, commencing ventures without securing no-objection certificates. Some are even selling plots without providing basic amenities. “They entice the public by claiming plots near Mulapeta Port will yield two to three times their value in the future, but many of these layouts lack authorization,” claimed farmer D. Swamy Naidu.
In the vicinity of Naupada, over 25 layouts have surfaced, with only two reportedly having proper permissions. Sources indicate that the government has compensated farmers at Rs 26,000 per cent of land, but realtors are now selling two cents of land for between Rs 8 to Rs 10 lakh.
In some cases, realtors have established layouts and sold plots without providing roads, electricity, or water facilities. “The plot owners were not even given copies of the plans, and relevant officials are neglecting the issue of unauthorized layouts,” Naidu accused, identifying himself as a plot owner in one such layout.
IV Ramana, an officer in the Tekkali division, stated that they would identify illegal layouts and take appropriate action against realtors operating without the approvals of the Srikakulam Urban Development Authority.
