Crackdown on unauthorised layouts raises concerns

Layouts approved by panchayats can’t be scrapped now: plot buyers

VUDA declares many panchayat layouts unauthorised.

Many people who bought plots in panchayat approved layouts have now become victims of the crackdown by the Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) on unauthorised layouts.

With the removal of marking stones and structures in those layouts, the buyers are unable to sell their properties now. Declaring the layouts unauthorised is further complicating the situation for the plot owners who are now worried about recovering the hard earned money they had invested on the land.

VUDA says it is the competent authority for issuing permissions for layouts in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram, with the extension of its jurisdiction under the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Authority.

It has formed special teams to identify the unauthorised layouts and remove the structures in them. This has led to a confrontation between the officials and the buyers/ ‘developers’ of those layouts. The realtors argue that the majority of the layouts were developed long ago with the permission of the panchayats concerned and VUDA cannot create troubles now. On the other hand, VUDA officials contend that many layouts have been developed recently with old dates.

Needless to say, layouts with VUDA approval ensure peace of mind for buyers as they do not have any legal issues although the plots are a little bit expensive. Those layouts ensure civic infrastructure such as internal roads, underground drainage system, street lights, parks and reserve sites for construction of various other amenities and facilities.

‘Not a wise move’

Realtors say that many layouts had come up long ago with the approval of local panchayats and the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) authorities.

“We paid all the fees and taxes to develop those layouts. It is unwise to disturb buyers and developers now. Many plots owners are worrying about their properties since they invested a lot in those layouts.

"VUDA should come out with clarifications about the rights of buyers instead of ignoring the jurisdiction of other authorities such as panchayat bodies,” opines Korada Satyarao, a realtor of Srikakulam district.

“The state government should stop registrations of plots if it is so serious about the so-called unauthorised layouts.

"VUDA should inform the registration department not to register the properties so that the buyers will also be aware of the new regulations,” said Y. Eswara Rao, a buyer belonging to Vizianagaram.