Godavari Urban Development Authority (GUDA)

Under the Andhra Pradesh Metropolitan Region and Urban Development Authority Act, 2016, the Godavari Urban Development Authority (GUDA) is a multi-functional government institution in Kakinada that is responsible for the urban development of the city. Its main responsibilities entail  administration, financing, land and housing development, and cooperating with other government bodies to promote infrastructure developments in the urban areas of the city. In this blog, we will take a look at some of the administrative powers, responsibilities, scope, and some other aspects of the Godavari Urban Development Authority.

What is GUDA?

Godavari Urban Development Authority or Guda is an independent urban planning authority that is responsible for the development of the urban infrastructure and all other related factors. First established in 2016, the scope of GUDA covers the east Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh.

 GUDA’s jurisdiction spans over 2749.18 square kilometres, which is divided into 29 Mandals and includes 2 Municipal Corporations, 5 Municipalities, 1 Nagar Panchayat, and 362 Gram Panchayats.

 Further, since the implementation of the Layout Regulation Scheme (LRS), many people have been able to regularise plots that they had acquired from unlicensed and unapproved layouts. This loosening of the laws has offered a sigh of comfort to the buyers who thought their money had been wasted after discovering that they had purchased plots in illegal layouts.

Administrative Powers of GUDA

The Godavari Urban Development Authority has been given some administrative powers for better development. These administrative powers given to GUDA are as follows:-

• GUDA is responsible for the implementation of any development plan or scheme, the funds for which can be used from the Development Fund, either in full or partially.

• The Godavari Urban Development Authority is responsible for coordinating with the Andhra Pradesh Transmission Corporation (APTC), the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC), the Southern Power Distribution Company (SPDC), the State Road Transport Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (APSRTC), Housing Corporation, Roads and Buildings Department, Andhra Pradesh Infrastructure Corporation Ltd., Housing Board, and other related bodies.

• GUDA has the authority to delegate power for the implementation of development projects.

• GUDA also works towards addressing the problems/issues raised by the committee members.

• Godavari Urban is responsible for the fast-track completion of projects and resolving issues,   such as delays in projects, problems encountered during or before the projects in the utilisation of the available funds.

• GUDA works on entering into agreements, contracts, and arrangements for urban development of the district.

• Sanctioning and recruiting staff members for the GUDA with the approval of the government.

• Godavari Urban is also responsible for holding meetings from time to time.

Development And Regulation-Related Tasks Of GUDA

In addition to the above-mentioned administrative powers, GUDA also has some development and regulation related tasks under its umbrella. These tasks include area level plan, conservation of the environment, development of various infrastructure and public amenities, development of transportation and related facilities. The authority is also responsible for reviewing and approving the action plans of the various agencies and departments. This also entails reviewing and implementing the policies for affordable housing. The GUDA plan approval also includes working towards the development along with generating more job opportunities.  

GUDA Plan Approval For The City

Ensuring planned development is the responsibility of the authority. Hence, below mentioned are the GUDA plan approval that is undertaken by the authority:-

• Godavari Urban Authority is responsible for the preparations and revisions in the GUDA master development plan for Andhra Pradesh, Layout of Andhra Pradesh, overall GUDA development plan, Development Plan for Infrastructure (IDP), Development Plan for the Area, and Perspective Plan (PP).

• Furthermore, the authority is also focused on carrying out surveys for achieving the goal of sustainable development plans, creating the ecological balance, and providing other amenities that are required for ideal living conditions in an area.

• GUDA formulates the zoning regulations, building as well as energy codes. It also focuses on the other controlling norms that ensure the environment-friendly sustainable development of an area. 
• To come up with and review the control of Godavari Urban development authority rules for development. The authority also devises regulations for development. All these rules and regulations are then submitted to the Government of Andhra Pradesh for further approval.

Financial Responsibility Of GUDA

Given below are some of the financial responsibilities of the Godavari Urban Development Authority:-

• The authority is responsible for promoting environment-friendly investment in the GUDA development plan areas.
• GUDA revises, approves, and reviews the financial budget for the year to maintain the effective working mechanism of the authority.
• The authority collects the charges and fees for the implementation of development projects and for the acquisition of other services as per the regulations set by the government.
• The authority is responsible for collecting and imposing the fees as dictated by the regulations of the government..
• GUDA scrutinises the documents as per rules and regulations, submitted by developers.
• Maintenance, management, and allocation of the Development Funds on the basis of plans laid down by the functional departments for the development of infrastructure and public amenities.
• GUDA is also responsible for exercising complete financial control regarding the allocation of budget concerning the development plans.

Land-Related Tasks Undertaken By GUDA

Godavari Urban Development Authority (GUDA) is responsible for acquiring the land parcels through resettlement and rehabilitation. Furthermore, the land can also be acquired lease mortgage, purchase, gift, exchange, as well as negotiated settlements on the land.

The land acquired under GUDA can be done for a number of reasons like using the acquired land for public purposes, office complexes, development of infrastructure, development of the township, civic centres and more.

 An additional land-related task for the GUDA is to take up the responsibility for land pooling along with schemes for town planning. At the same time, when the land is acquired by the authority, they also need to provide an alternative rehabilitation space for the displaced people. 

GUDA Plan Approval Layouts

If you are planning to invest in land, make sure to check whether the land is under the GUDA plan approval layout or not. Follow the steps mentioned below to check the GUDA approved layouts:-

Step 1: Visit the official website of the Godavari Urban Development Authority.

Step 2: On the homepage, click on the ‘Approved Layouts’ icon. After clicking on this option, all the approved layouts by Godavari Urban authority will be displayed on the screen.

 The approved GUDA Plan layouts include the ones approved by the DTCPO, DT and CP, manually approved ones, and RDTP approved plans.

Unapproved Layouts and Unauthorised Constructions in GUDA Jurisdiction

If you are worried that you might unknowingly invest in an illegal or unapproved property, then you should check the official GUDA portal before investing. Given below are the steps to check the list of unapproved layouts on the GUDA portal:-

Step 1: Visit the official GUDA website (https://guda.ap.gov.in/).

Step 2: On the homepage, click on the ‘Unapproved Layouts’ icon or you can simply visit https://guda.ap.gov.in/un-approved-layouts/. After clicking on this option, all the unapproved layouts by Godavari Urban Development Authority will be displayed on the screen.

This list is updated frequently to include the list of all unapproved/unauthorised layouts as identified by the Vigilance and Enforcement Department.

Latest Development Works Undertaken By GUDA

Below are the latest works undertaken by the development authority:-

• Achampet Junction Island Development, Kakinada.
• TTLA Airframe (HPT-32)’ platform construction for the erection in the area of NTR Beach Park, Kakinada.
• Approach pathway for the aircraft platform formulation in NTR Beach Park, Kakinada.
• Precast Compound Wall construction at the NTR Beach Park around the site for the museum of aircraft, Kakinada.
• Chairman’s Chamber modifications in the zonal office of GUDA, Rajamahendravaram.
• Provided digital boards for a display to GUDA circle, Lalacheruvu Junction, Rajamahendravaram.

How to Regularise Layouts Through the LRS 2020?

LSR refers to the Layout Regularisation Scheme, which is an important scheme for disclosure through which the unapproved plots and lands are taken into consideration. Then, these plots and lands are brought to the planning fold under GUDA. These areas are provided with the basic conditions and facilities that are important for quality living after including them in the panning fold. To regularise the unapproved plots or lands, follow the steps mentioned below:

Step 1: Visit the official portal of DTCP. Log in on the portal.

Step 2: After successfully logging in, select the online services option  on the homepage. Then, click on the ‘LRS Application Form’ option.

Step 3: The DTCP portal will redirect to a new window. In this window, enter all the details asked, such as Aadhaar no./Passport no., applicant’s name, gender, door no., locality, street, mandal, district, and more. 

Step 4: In the next window, enter the details of the layout, i.e, the plot or the land.

Step 5: Attach all the required documents as asked by the portal, such as plot measurements documents, ownership proofs, etc.

Step 6: Click on the preview to check the entered details are correct or not. After attaching the documents and previewing the information, click on the ‘Submit’ button.

Once the application is successfully submitted, the updates regarding the same will be sent to the registered contact details of the applicant. 

Different Mandals Under GUDA

The various east Godavari mandals and other Godavari mandals under the Godavari Urban Development Authority are listed as follows:-

01.  Kakinada Urban

02.  Rajamahendravaram Rural

03.  Rajamahendravaram Urban

04.  Korukonda

05.  Rajanagaram

06.  Rangampeta

07.  Gandepalli

08.  Peddapuram

09.  Samalkot

10.  Kakinada

11.  Pedapudi

12.  Karapa

13.  Tallarevu

14.  Pithapuram

15.  Gollaprolu

16.  U Kothapalli

17.  Jagampeta

18.  Kirlampudi

19.  Yeleswaram

20.  Prathipadu

21.  Sankhavaram

22.  Thondangi

23.  Atreyapuram

24.  Kadiam

25.  Seethanagaram

26.  Biccavolu

27.  Anapathi

28.  Mandapeta

29.  Tuni

30.  Ramachandrapuram

31.  Ravulapalem

GUDA Jurisdiction

GUDA jurisdiction area is spread over 4,387.66 square kilometres, covering 598 villages in the 29 mandals of the districts under GUDA. There are several villages under GUDA.

Godavari Urban Development Authority Villages List

Depicted below is the Godavari urban development authority villages list:-

Bottom-line

Since its inception in 2017, the Godavari Urban Development Authority (GUDA) has gone a long way. With substantial assistance from the Andhra Pradesh State government, it has made quick progress in delivering urban planning initiatives. With the establishment of a solid computerised service system, GUDA has been able to centralise all infrastructure development projects and approve new layouts within 7 days of application, boosting the pace of project execution.

Overall, GUDA is an excellent model of an Urban Development Authority that other governments might follow in order to improve infrastructure development in the country.

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