GVMC commissioner orders faster LRS, TDR, building approval process

Visakhapatnam: GVMC commissioner Ketan Garg has directed town planning officials to accord special attention to the timely processing of building permissions, layout regularisation scheme (LRS) applications, and transferable development rights (TDR) approvals within the stipulated time frame without any delay. He also warned that strict departmental action would be initiated against officials found delaying official work or indulging in corrupt practices.

The commissioner reviewed the progress of town planning works on Thursday with chief city planner A Prabhakara Rao and other planning officials. Commissioner expressed serious concern over the delays in processing applications submitted by citizens seeking building permissions. He observed that Town Planning officials were taking excessive time in resolving such applications and that delays were also being noticed in the approval process under the LRS introduced by the state government.

The commissioner warned officials to ensure complete transparency in the processing of building permissions, LRS, and TDR approvals and stated that there should be no scope for corruption at any stage of the approval process. He cautioned that strict departmental action would be taken against any official found indulging in corrupt practices or if complaints from the public were found to be genuine. He made it clear that delay, negligence, and corruption in the discharge of duties would not be tolerated under any circumstances.

He instructed officials to thoroughly scrutinize building applications registered through the APDPMS portal and ensure that they are forwarded to the competent authorities without delay, preferably within two days, for necessary approvals. He also directed officials to complete field verification of LRS applications and dispose of them promptly.