Delays persist in layout regularisation LRS progress slow as applications remain stuck at initial stage

The Layout Regularization Scheme (LRS), launched by the Telangana government to bring unauthorised layouts into the formal system, is witnessing slow progress, with a large number of applications yet to move beyond the initial stage.

Despite strong response from applicants, ground-level challenges such as limited awareness, technical issues in payment processing and delays in field verification are affecting the pace of approvals. Many applicants are facing repeated follow-ups, as a majority of cases remain pending at the Level-1 (L1) scrutiny stage.

Under the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) limits, about 2.90 lakh applications have been received from 11 districts. While applicants are largely willing to pay the required charges for regularisation, the process involves multiple stages of verification before approvals can be granted.

As part of the procedure, officials from revenue and irrigation departments are required to conduct field inspections to verify eligibility. These checks include confirming that the land does not fall under lake beds, buffer zones, prohibited categories or legal disputes. Only after clearing these conditions are applications forwarded to HMDA for Level-2 scrutiny.

Officials indicate that most applications are currently held up at the L1 stage, delaying further processing. Applicants have also raised concerns over coordination issues between departments, noting that officials from different agencies are often not available simultaneously during inspections.

So far, around 32,000 applications have been processed under the scheme, generating approximately ₹260 crore in revenue for the government. However, a large portion of applications is yet to be cleared, indicating that the pace of implementation remains slower than expected.

The delays have added to uncertainty among applicants, particularly those seeking to regularise plots for future construction or resale, making timely processing a key concern.

High pendency 

• 2.90 lakh applications received under HMDA limits. 

• Majority of cases pending at Level-1 stage. 

• Field verification required by multiple departments. 

• Coordination gaps delaying inspection and approvals. 

• 32,000 applications cleared so far. 

• ₹260 crore revenue generated from approvals.