A detailed look at Godavari Urban Development Authority (GUDA) -

Godavari Urban Development Authority (GUDA) is a multi-functional government organization of Andhra Pradesh in Kakinada specializing in urban planning under the Andhra Pradesh Metropolitan Region and Urban Development Authority Act, 2016. GUDA has a lot of responsibilities in terms of administration, finance, land and housing development, and coordinating with other government organizations to facilitate infrastructure growth in the development area.

Guda has jurisdiction over 2749.18 Sq. Km which comprises 2 Municipal Corporations, 5 Municipalities, 1 Nagar Panchayat, and 362 Gram Panchayats in 29 Mandals. Guda development plan, Guda master plan for Ap, Guda Dtcp collaboration, layout AP development, Ap Lrs Scheme 2020, all such programs are part of Andhra Pradesh Government’s vision to reach its targets of overall infrastructure development in the state.

Different functions and responsibilities of GUDA

Administration

Godavari Urban Development Authority has some administrative powers. They are,

Keep a strict vigilance over any infrastructure development plan, project, or program and make sure the development fund is fully or partially invested in these activities and is properly utilized.

To maintain strong coordination with other government organizations like Andhra Pradesh Transmission Corporation, Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation, Southern Power Distribution Company Ltd, Transport Corporation, Roads & Buildings Department, Housing Corporation, Housing Board, Infrastructure Corporation of Andhra Pradesh Ltd, etc., to facilitate infrastructure development.

To delegate powers of GUDA to the whole Executive Committee or selected members of the committee for responsibly executing specific projects of Guda.

To fast track and sort out issues related to development funds, project delays, and interdepartmental miscommunication raised by the Executive Committee.

To create contracts, agreements with third-party authorities or individuals to fast track the projects as per Guda requirements.

To recruit officers and other staff members as per the requirement with the approval from Andhra Pradesh Government.

To hold frequent meetings to assess progress, issues, and necessary future steps for the completion of projects.

Development and Regulation

GUDA master plan for Ap, GUDA development plan, and other plans have to be made and executed after the approval of the Andhra Pradesh Government.
To undertake the implementation of area-level plans independently or jointly with a developer entity or an agency. Also, take responsibility for executing works related to infrastructure development, public amnesties, and work regarding conservation of the environment.
To promote the developmental activities according to the sanctioned development plans. Also, Guda has the responsibility to bring aesthetics, economy, and efficiency to each project.
To approve, execute coordinated transportation-related interventions in the development area to bring all traffic and transit systems under control which will become proof of correct planning.
To approve action plans for the development of modern transport systems such as BRTS, MRTS, MMTS, and also introduce an intelligent transport system for traffic management so that the residents can commute with fewer traffic jams.
To develop, monitor, and execute affordable housing policies.

Finance

GUDA has to promote environment-friendly investments in the development areas.
To revise, approve and review the yearly financial budget for the effective working of GUDA.
To collect and levy the fees for maintaining the annual budget and scrutiny of the documents submitted by the developers as per regulations.
To collect development charges as per regulations.
To maintain and manage development funds as per regulations and allocate the same for executing the development projects.
To collect user charges for various services offered in the developed areas.

Land development

GUDA has to acquire immovable properties through the act of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act of 2013. The acquisition can be made through purchase, exchange, lease mortgage, gift, negotiation settlement, or any other method permissible within the law.
To approve land development schemes of the functional departments.
To undertake town planning and land pooling schemes.
To prepare and undertake rehabilitation of people affected by the development projects and shifting them to alternate areas.
To create and manage land development banks and take up land acquisition for office complexes, public utilities, township development, civic center, and infrastructure development.

Planning

To prepare and revise Guda Development Plan, Guda Master Plan for Ap, Layout Ap, Perspective Plan (PP), Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP), Area Development Plan. Also, carry surveys to achieve sustainable development, ecological balance and provide other facilities for creating the ideal living environment.
To devise zoning regulations, building and energy codes, and other control norms to ensure the development area is environmentally sustainable.
To prepare and review the development control norms and formulate regulations. Then, the same is submitted to the Andhra Pradesh Government for approval.

Approved Layouts under Godavari Urban Development Authority (GUDA)

There is a well-structured website for checking all the information related to Godavari Urban Development Authority (GUDA). Any layout within the jurisdiction of GUDA has to be approved and listed in the approved layout section of the official GUDA website. Any violation in the rules from the layout owners will be subject to strict legal action from GUDA. Many people are losing their money from buying plots from unauthorized layouts. GUDA has made information available for both authorized and unauthorized layouts. To check the approved layouts, follow the steps mentioned below;

Visit the official website of Godavari Urban Development Authority (GUDA).

On the home page, click on the ‘Approved Layouts.’ When you enter this section, there are 5 different types of GUDA approved layouts. GUDA Approved through Manual process, GUDA DTCP (Directorate of Town & Country Planning) Approved Layouts, GUDA Approved Layouts through APDPMS (Andhra Pradesh Development Permission Management System). In some of these lists, the are approved plans of the layout also available.

By going through these approved layouts, citizens can apply for plots and be assured that the layouts associated with these plots are approved by Godavari Urban Development Authority (GUDA).

GUDA has a fixed time frame of 7 days for the sanction of approvals of house plans from the date of receiving the application. This is possible because the process has been fully computerized to ensure transparency and a faster approval rate.

Unauthorized construction and Unapproved layouts by GUDA, AP

To avoid buying an unauthorized, illegal plot, please visit the GUDA website and click on the ‘Un-Approved Layout’ to get the list of unapproved layouts. This will create awareness among citizens and will save them from buying plots that will not be allowed for the construction of buildings.

GUDA will not give permission to construct buildings, villas, apartments, etc., in unapproved layouts. The willing buyers have to contact Godavari Urban Development Authority (GUDA) planning team before purchasing plots in survey numbers against the villages listed in GUDA, and GUDA DTCP approved layouts. Gram Panchayat approved layouts come under un-approved layouts. The Vigilance and Enforcement department will identify such unauthorized layouts, and after investigation and approval from GUDA, the list is updated in the un-approved layout section for citizen reference.

Latest Updates om GUDA development works

Some of the developments undertaken by the GUDA are listed below.

Island development at the junction of Atchampeta in Kakina (2^nd call).
A platform for constructing TTLA Airframe, also known as HPT-32, will be built in NTR Beach Park.
Building of an access pathway to Aircraft Platform within the NTR Beach Park at Kakinada.
Precast compound wall construction around the site for aircraft museum in NTR Beach Park, Kakinada.
At Rajahmahendravaram, the chairman’s chamber in the zonal office will be modified.
Digital Boards on Display GUDA CIRCLE, GUDA CIRCLE (in the Telugu language) with SS letters in Lalacheruvu Junction will be provided.

Regularisation of Ap Lrs Scheme 2020

In Andhra Pradesh, the Layout Regulation Scheme (LRS) was introduced as a mandatory disclosure scheme for regularisation of all unapproved plots/layouts to be brought into the planning fold to bring basic facilities for the citizens. This will help 25876 people to authorize their plots. Many people were unaware of this drawback and had bought plots in the unauthorized layouts. The earlier rule was to regularise the plots only in authorized layouts. The state government of Andhra Pradesh has now decided to regularise individual sites by relaxing the rules.

The AP government has stated that, despite continuous vigilance and instructions being issued from time to time, there were a total of 10630 unauthorized layouts, out of which 2628 layouts were prepared by Urban Local Bodies (ULB) and Urban Development Authorities (UDA) and, only 697 principal pattern layouts were approved by competent authorities. The disposal of these principal patterns was not moving at the desired speed, and hence the processing of regularisation of individual plots was getting delayed. However, the director of DTCP (Directorate of Town & Country Planning) has permitted ULB and UDA to process the LRS applications of the individual plots of the unapproved layouts.

To regularise, the applicants can directly go on the LRS portal or through the website of DTCP (Directorate of Town & Country Planning). The steps are

Visit the DTCP official website.
Click on the LRS icon.
Enter the application details
Enter the ownership information
Enter the details of the plot/Layout
Upload the required documents

Some of the required documents are

Site plan showing measurements, boundaries, abutting roads
Top view of the detailed plan showing details of the ground within 100 m radius
Location plan
Self-attested copy of the title deed
Layout plan
Showing all transactions up to 13 years
Latest Encumbrance Certificate (EC)
Land conversion certificate
Indemnity bond
Road widening undertaking if it has taken less than 9m width and ZDP/MP/RDP roads.
No objection certificate from the Defence authority in case the site falls within 500m from the boundary of the Defence establishment.
No objection certificate from Airport Authority of India in case the site falls within the Restricted Zone of AAI.

Various Mandals under GUDA

Kakinada Urban
Rajamahendravaram Rural
Rajamahendravaram Urban
Korukonda
Rajanagaram
Rangampeta
Gandepalli
Peddapuram
Samalkot
Kakinada
Pedapudi
Karapa
Tallarevu
Pithapuram
Gollaprolu
U Kothapalli
Jagampeta
Kirlampudi
Yeleswaram
Prathipadu
Sankhavaram
Thondangi
Atreyapuram
Kadiam
Seethanagaram
Biccavolu
Anapathi
Mandapeta
Tuni
Ramachandrapuram
Ravulapalem

Conclusion

Godavari Urban Development Authority (GUDA) has come a long way from its launch in 2017. It has been making rapid strides in executing urban planning projects with strong support from the Andhra Pradesh State government. With the implementation of a strong computerized service system, GUDA has managed to centralize all the infrastructure development projects and is able to make approvals of the new layouts within 7days from the date of application, thereby increasing the speed of the project execution.

Also, with the introduction of the Layout Regulation Scheme (LRS), many individuals have managed to regularise the plots that they had purchased from unauthorized and unapproved layouts. This relaxation in the rules has brought a big relief to buyers who felt their money was gone after they realized that they had bought plots in unauthorized layouts. Overall, GUDA is setting a great example as an Urban Development Authority that can be replicated by other states for better Infrastructure development.

FAQ

Which urban development authority will be separated and established separately from the Godavari Urban Development Authority as per Andhra Pradesh Government?

Ans: The AP government has planned to separate Rajamahendravaram (East Godavari) from GUDA and to name it as Urban Development Authority

2.How many layouts are approved under the LRS scheme 2020?

Ans: There are a total of 6 layouts in 5 mandals approved in LRS scheme 2020

3.How many funds can GUDA have the authority to approve?

Ans: GUDA has the authority to approve Rs 5 crore and above and up to 50 cr. If it is above Rs.50 crores, then state government approval is needed.

4.Suppose there is a plot purchased by a buyer, and a building is constructed already in an unauthorized layout under the jurisdiction of GUDA. Can he regularise this under the LRS scheme?

Ans: The plot can be regularised, but the building is considered unauthorized.

5.Is there a Layout regulation Scheme for all Gram Panchayat areas?

Ans: No, this scheme is only applicable to Gram Panchayat areas falling under UDA limits or covered in a sanctioned master plan.