Metro India News | AMARAVATI

In a major push towards accelerating urban growth and improving the ease of doing business, the Andhra Pradesh government has established a Special Cell under the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) to fast-track approvals for high-rise buildings. The cell will process and approve development permissions for buildings with 12 floors and above—including Transferable Development Rights (TDR) floors—within a strict Service Level Agreement (SLA) period of 72 hours.

The decision marks a significant administrative reform aimed at eliminating procedural delays and fostering a builder-friendly environment. According to officials, the move follows extensive deliberations at the highest levels of government, where it was acknowledged that high-rise projects are not only essential for vertical urban expansion but also act as economic engines for the development of surrounding regions.

Despite their importance, high-rise building proposals have often been held up due to sluggish clearances by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Urban Development Authorities (UDAs), causing frustration among developers and slowing infrastructure progress. The newly constituted Special Cell is designed to overcome these bottlenecks by centralizing and expediting the approval process.

The Director of Town and Country Planning had earlier been directed to submit a detailed proposal for the cell’s formation. With government approval now secured, the DTCP has been authorized to process high-rise project applications and issue clearances directly within the mandated 72-hour window.

“This initiative reflects our government’s unwavering commitment to ease of doing business and creating an industry-friendly climate,” said Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary of the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department. “By drastically reducing the approval timeline, we are enabling a smoother, more efficient system that benefits both developers and citizens.”

The Special Cell will function from the DTCP office and is expected to streamline existing procedures, reduce red tape, and inject much-needed momentum into urban development efforts across the state. Officials believe the move will boost investor confidence, spur private construction, and contribute to the state’s broader vision of planned and rapid urbanization.

With urban populations continuing to grow, the government sees high-rise buildings as a sustainable solution to land scarcity and infrastructure demands. By enabling quicker approvals, Andhra Pradesh positions itself as a progressive state ready to embrace modern urban planning practices.