AP Forms Working Group to Speed Up Key Urban Reforms
Stressing the need for bold and innovative interventions, Suresh Kumar said that any new policy must be uncompromising in its commitment to public welfare.
Vijayawada: The Government of Andhra Pradesh has intensified its push toward modern, resilient and people-centric urban development, with the Municipal Administration & Urban Development (MA&UD) department assigning two major statewide policy initiatives to the Working Group constituted under its MoU with the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), Vijayawada.
At a review meeting, principal secretary (MA&UD) S. Suresh Kumar assessed the progress of the Working Group and directed it to accelerate delivery of two high-impact urban planning reforms.
The first major assignment involves formulating a market-responsive alternative to the existing Transferable Development Rights (TDR) policy, aimed at enabling faster and financially viable urban infrastructure creation. The initiative seeks to introduce modern land value capture
mechanisms to attract private investment and enhance efficiency in infrastructure delivery across the state.
The second assignment focuses on the preparation of a comprehensive drainage and a flood mitigation plan for Andhra Pradesh’s coastal cities, a policy considered critical for safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and urban economies facing increasing climate-induced risks.
Stressing the need for bold and innovative interventions, Suresh Kumar said that any new policy must be uncompromising in its commitment to public welfare. The objective, he said, is to ensure seamless development, improved livability, and measurable public benefit supported by strong technical and economic feasibility.
Suresh Kumar directed that the two policy initiatives be pursued in a mission mode, calling for tight coordination among urban local bodies, planners, practitioners, and domain experts. Transparency, timely delivery, and robust stakeholder engagement, he said, is essential to create outcomes that can serve as national benchmarks.
As part of this process, the Working Group has been instructed to begin consultations with experts and key stakeholders immediately. A state-level consultative workshop — bringing together urban planners, coastal management specialists, industry representatives, and implementing agencies— will be held within the month to refine the frameworks before final approval.
Expressing confidence in the reforms, the principal secretary said these efforts will enhance climate resilience, ease fiscal pressure on ULBs, catalyse private-sector participation, and support the creation of safer, better-planned and economically vibrant cities across Andhra Pradesh.
Suresh Kumar reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fast-tracking transformative urban reforms that directly benefit citizens, promote high-quality infrastructure, and position Andhra Pradesh as a national leader in sustainable and future-ready urban development.
