Deferred development charges proposed

The master plan of the proposed Hyderabad outer ring road (ORR) project envisages imposition of a "Deferred Development Charge" to discourage people from holding land for speculation purpose. This will be charged on a yearly basis for keeping land vacant and unused after construction of the ORR.

There is also a proposal to collect value-addition charges (VAC) on land and buildings while issuing development permissions. The notification for the ORR growth corridor will be issued on Friday inviting public objections and suggestions as per the road map for implementation of the proposed master plan.

Chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy has directed officials to display maps of the master plan of ORR growth corridor in the Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (Huda) offices for 15 days for the benefit of the public.

He also wanted finalisation of the master plan by May 16 after giving 10 days' time for scrutinising the objections and suggestions. The master plan would be implemented through the unit offices of the proposed Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA).

According to an official press release, while the length of the ORR is 162 km, an area of one km on either side from the outer edge of the ORR row is designated as growth corridor covering 113 villages spread over an extent of 80,000 acres.

As per the recommendations proposed for the master plan, the minimum plot size would be 122 square metres and the minimum layout area would be 15 acres. Of this, 55 per cent would be the maximum saleable area while 5 per cent of the total area should be handed over to Huda in all projects of above 5 acres for special purpose projects.

One of the important features of the zoning regulations in the ORR growth corridor is provision of special development rights (SDRs) based on the basic value in the form of transferable/redeemable land bonds for people losing land in junctions, parks and master plan roads. People losing land in such areas would be given "Development Bonds" which would be bought by developers wanting to build structures of more than 18 mt height and seeking relaxation within the common building line along the ORR from 15 mt to 10 mt. Thus, people losing land in the ORR growth corridor would be given either compensation under land acquisition or development bonds.

Similarly, for acquisition for other purposes like special amenities zone, compensation under land acquisition and proportionate serviced land with added value are proposed to be given to those whose lands have been taken over. In all, 10 junctions covering an area of 1,000 acres at national highways and state highways are falling under this zone.