Khammam: District Collector Diwkara TS has directed the concerned officials to strictly follow the rules while issuing layout permissions. During the District Level Layout Committee meeting held on Wednesday at the District Collectorate, he held a detailed discussion on pending layout permissions with officials from line departments such as Revenue, Irrigation, NPDCL, Town Planning, and others.
He inquired about the remarks, objections, and status of NOCs regarding each layout application. Speaking on the occasion, District Collector Diwkara TS noted that although permissions are approved by the layout committee, some applicants are still running around offices stating that approvals have not been granted online. He ordered that hereafter, officials must take steps to complete the online approval process within three days immediately after obtaining layout committee clearance.
Regarding layout permissions, the Collector advised that field-level verification and joint inspections must be conducted compulsorily. He stated that it should be thoroughly examined whether the proposed layout land falls within the limits of tanks, water sources, FTL (Full Tank Level), or buffer zones. He instructed the relevant departments—including Irrigation, NPDCL, Town Planning, and Revenue—to examine matters within their purview and submit necessary NOCs and reports on time. He stated that layouts must have approach roads and internal roads. Officials should verify whether adequate land has been allocated in the layout for road construction.
He stated that it must be ensured that layouts definitely have street lights, a sewerage system, a drainage system, drinking water supply, and electricity supply. He clarified that the layout area must be at a specified distance from water sources and water flows, and under no circumstances should permissions be granted within FTL and buffer zones. The Collector directed the concerned officials to thoroughly examine whether there were any water sources or water flow channels in the layout area in the past by utilizing technology. He stated that the layout approval process must be completely transparent and permissions should be granted strictly in accordance with the rules.
The Collector advised officials to inspect whether the conditions mentioned in the permissions are being followed during layout development even after approvals are granted. The Collector directed that reports from relevant departments required for every layout application should be submitted within the stipulated deadline. He instructed the concerned officials to submit the joint inspection reports for layouts that require joint verification by October 15th. Khammam Municipal Commissioner Abhishek Agasthya, R&B SE Yugandhar Rao, PR SE Venkat Reddy, and others participated in this meeting.
Anand Gantela is a senior journalist with 30 years of experience across print, TV, and digital media. Currently serving as the Editor of Ink Post, his career spans key reporting and editorial roles at Prajasakti, Andhra Bhoomi, Maa TV, Mudra and Prime Post. He writes on regional news, current affairs, and socio-political developments.
