HYDERABAD: Will the proposed Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority to replace HUDA ensure better planning and compliance of norms and layout/building regulations?

The question became a debatable issue evoking different views. While the proposed HMDA on the lines of other metros like Delhi, Mumbai has been welcomed, many seemed sceptical about whether the new authority would make any difference to the enforcement of norms.

Built-in mechanism

HUDA Vice-Chairman Jayesh Ranjan said that enforcement of norms would be a built-in mechanism in HMDA, as local bodies and related departments would be involved right from planning stage to enforcement. The details are still being worked out to plug the lacunae that aided proliferation of unauthorised layouts and violation of building regulations.

Ram Reddy of SMR Associates and Treasurer of All-India Institute of Town Planners, Andhra Pradesh Chapter said HMDA would sure aid in comprehensive planning of the capital region with the Chief Minister, bureaucrats and technocrats being part of the set up.

Any development from satellite townships, industrial and commercial zones would require not only physical planning but also socio-economic planning. As ultimately Government was responsible for long range planning, its involvement in HMDA would definitely yield positive results.

Fast clearance

But enforcement at micro-level, he said, even under HMDA, would be the call of local bodies/authorities.

"Clarity, simple by-laws, people friendly attitude of related departments' staff, fast clearance of applications through single window system and adequate enforcement staff are key to enforce norms," he said. "Delay in giving approvals remains the main cause for unauthorised layouts. Typically a layout approval would take one to two years after acquiring land as applicants are made to run from pillar to post in securing required documents, NOCs from different departments. Delay means increase in capital expenditure and so many proceed without approval."

Not easy

While HMDA sounds impressive, enforcement of norms may not be simple without adequate staff under local area supervision to keep a tab on layouts/constructions, says Andhra Pradesh Housing Board Chief Planner K. Srinivasa Rao. Stringent punishment for violation of norms, refusing regularisation facility at a later date, eliminating political and builders' lobby interference alone would ensure HMDA success. As HMDA involves more departments, it could mean more queries to applicants. An effective single window system should be in place under the new set up, he said.

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