Due to a lack of adequate response from the public, the state government has opted to prolong the deadline for the layout regularisation scheme (LRS) by an additional three months. Initially announced in July, the scheme was set to conclude on October 31.
With this extension, applications for the regularisation of plans can now be submitted until January 23, 2026. Sources indicate that the insufficient response from layout developers and plot owners is thought to have influenced the government’s decision to extend the deadline.
The state government has resolved to extend the deadline for a further three months for the submission of applications under the Andhra Pradesh Regularisation of Unapproved Layouts and Plots Rules, 2020, until January 23, 2026, to fulfill the goal of incorporating all unauthorized layouts and plots into the planning framework and ensuring organized urban growth throughout the state, stated S. Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary of Municipal Administration.
The state government reintroduced the LRS to address illegal layouts starting in August 2025. This scheme was previously implemented during the TDP regime from 2014 to 2019. Following their return to power, the Chandrababu Naidu-led NDA government conducted a study on the layouts established during the previous YSRCP administration and discovered a significant number of illegal layouts in various urban local bodies. Taking this matter seriously, the government has relaunched the LRS, which aims to generate additional revenue for the exchequer.
The Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department has provided comprehensive guidelines to municipal commissioners and urban development authorities to manage illegal and unauthorized layouts.
The government has instructed the commissioners to either eliminate illegal layouts within their jurisdictions or motivate developers to submit applications under the LRS. However, it is believed that political pressure from leaders of the ruling party is obstructing field-level town planning officials, particularly ward planning secretaries, from taking action against powerful realtors.
