The Andhra Pradesh government has reviewed the progress of two major urban reform initiatives being developed under a Working Group formed through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Municipal Administration & Urban Development (MA&UD) Department and the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), Vijayawada.
At a meeting held on Tuesday at the A.P. Secretariat in Amaravati, Guntur district, Principal Secretary (MA&UD) S. Suresh Kumar examined the status of two policy assignments — an alternative framework to the existing Transferable Development Rights (TDR) policy and a comprehensive drainage and flood‑mitigation plan for coastal cities.
Officials said the proposed TDR alternative seeks to make land values more responsive to market dynamics and to support urban‑infrastructure development. The drainage and flood‑mitigation plan aims to strengthen the resilience of coastal urban areas against increasing climate‑related risks.
Mr. Suresh Kumar stressed that the policy work must prioritise public welfare, technical feasibility, and financial viability. He called for stronger inter‑agency coordination and directed the Working Group to initiate stakeholder consultations immediately. A workshop involving urban planners, coastal‑management experts, industry representatives, and government agencies will be organised within the month to refine the proposals.
The Principal Secretary emphasised that timely delivery, transparency, and expert inputs are critical for formulating policies that promote better‑planned and climate‑resilient cities.
Published – December 09, 2025 07:43 pm IST


