Hyderabad: Architects make a killing from Layout Regularisation Scheme

Hyderabad: The decision by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority to receive online applications for the Layout Regularisation Scheme (LRS) has proved to be a windfall for architects. Applicants are forced to hire architects as it involves a cumbersome procedure.

Architects are charging between Rs 8,000 and Rs 10,000 for preparing the layout depending on the location. However, applicants claimed that even the layout prepared by the experts have been rejected by the Development Permission Management System (DPMS). They alleged that architects are deliberately giving faulty sketches to mint money multiple times. “Even though I have the copies, I cannot prepare layout plan. I have no choice but to seek the help of an architect,” said K. Ravi Kumar, who own a land in Tellapur.

“My application was rejected repeatedly,” said another applicant, D. Srikanth, a techie working for an MNC.

Applicants also claimed that citizen service centres (CSC) set up by HMDA are hand in glove with the architects. They alleged that outsourcing staff in CSC have been demanding money to upload LRS applications.

HMDA officials, however, said the online system was introduced to curb irregularities and to ensure transparency. Officials have received 1,75,565 LRS applications (old and new) so far. The HMDA approved 83,065 LRS applications till December 2017.