Telangana Government Notifies Land Use Variations for Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Area

The Government of Telangana, through its Metropolitan Area and Urban Development Department, issued a series of notifications in the Telangana Gazette on July 19, 2025, detailing draft and confirmed variations to the land use designations within the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) Master Plans. These instruments, specifically Memos No.7647/Plg.I(1)/2025 and No.10093/Plg.I(1)/2025, dated July 8, 2025, and G.O.Ms.No.158, dated July 9, 2025, were issued in exercise of powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 15 of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority Act, 2008 (Act No. 8 of 2008). The notifications outline significant changes to previously earmarked land uses, primarily converting various zones to residential use.

The first draft variation pertains to an area of 65467.49 square meters across multiple survey numbers in Chitkul Village, Patancheruvu Mandal, Sangareddy District. This land, originally designated for Public & Semi-Public use and Open Space use zone, including two proposed 30-meter wide Master Plan roads under the Notified Metropolitan Development Plan-2031, is now proposed for residential use. The second draft variation concerns 8599.56 square meters in Edulanagulapalle Village, RC Puram Mandal, Tellapur Municipality, Sanga Reddy District. This site, previously earmarked for Transportation and Communication use zone (specifically T-5 Bus depots, Passenger/Freight Terminals, and a proposed 30-meter Master Plan road) as per MDP-2031, is also proposed to be designated as a Residential use zone. For both draft variations, a public notice was issued, stating that the proposals would be considered after fifteen days from their publication in the Telangana Gazette, allowing for objections or suggestions to be submitted to the Secretary to Government, Metropolitan Area and Urban Development Department.

A confirmed variation was also notified for 18,915 square meters (approximately 4.674 acres) in Sy.No.70 of Rampally (V), Keesara (M), Medchal-Malkajgiri District. This parcel, which was previously designated as a Conservation use zone under the Master Plan MDP-2021, has now been officially designated as a Residential use zone. All these land use changes are subject to several conditions, including the payment of development charges to HMDA, obtaining prior permission for any development, and compliance with specific government orders such as G.O.Ms.No.168 MA, dated April 7, 2012. Furthermore, applicants are required to hand over areas affected by proposed roads to local bodies free of cost through registered gift deeds and are held solely responsible for any misrepresentation regarding ownership or title. The legislation provided: “The Change of land use shall not be used as the sole reason for obtaining exemption from the provision or Urban Land Ceiling Act, 1976.”

The legislative intent behind these variations is to facilitate urban development and accommodate the growing demand for residential spaces within the Hyderabad Metropolitan Region. By converting land previously designated for public, open space, transportation, or conservation uses to residential zones, the government aims to enable planned growth and optimize land utilization. The earlier legal position, as established by the Metropolitan Development Plans (MDP-2031 and MDP-2021), had specific land use allocations. These variations address potential statutory gaps or limitations in the existing framework by providing a mechanism for flexible adjustments to the Master Plans in response to evolving urban needs. The conditions attached to these changes, such as the requirement for development charges and adherence to land ceiling acts, serve as enforcement mechanisms to ensure that development proceeds in a regulated manner, preserving the financial interests of the government and preventing misuse of the changed land status. The notifications clarify that a change of land use does not confer title to the land or bar any public agency from acquiring land for public purposes.

Keywords: Telangana, HMDA, Land Use Change, Master Plan, Urban Development, Residential Zone, Sangareddy District, Medchal-Malkajgiri District, Notification

Geo Tags: India, Telangana District: Sangareddy, Medchal-Malkajgiri