Who Issues Construction Approvals There?

Uncertainty has emerged regarding construction approvals within the expanded limits of Greater Hyderabad. Following the merger of 27 municipalities and corporations into GHMC, confusion has arisen over which authority is responsible for issuing permissions. Until now, construction approvals in newly merged areas were being issued by HMDA. However, with GHMC’s jurisdiction expanding, there is a lack of clarity on whether GHMC or HMDA will issue approvals going forward, leading to concern among builders and developers.

GHMC limits have now extended beyond the Outer Ring Road, creating ambiguity over authority for layout and high-rise building approvals in these areas. While GHMC’s authority in expanded regions remains limited, the Telangana government issued a gazette notification extending GHMC boundaries and updated the Build Now portal accordingly. Technical changes now allow GHMC to issue approvals for buildings of up to seven floors on plots under 1,000 square metres.

Since suburban areas also fall under HMDA’s jurisdiction, the HMDA Executive Committee must take a key decision on the transfer of approval powers. HMDA covers 10,472 sq km across 11 districts, operating under the Master Plan–2030. Historically, HMDA has delegated approval powers for buildings, layouts, and gated communities to GHMC, municipalities, and corporations, while retaining authority in peripheral regions.

Currently, HMDA continues to issue approvals for layouts, gated communities, and high-rise buildings in merged areas, except for buildings up to seven floors on smaller plots, which go to GHMC. In old GHMC limits, all categories of approvals are issued by GHMC. A final decision on transferring full authority to GHMC in expanded areas is still pending, leaving uncertainty over when the merger process will be fully completed.