Hyderabad: Faced with soaring land acquisition costs for major infrastructure projects, especially around Hyderabad, the Telangana govt is preparing to roll out a statewide land pooling policy that will allow landowners to receive developed plots instead of monetary compensation, a move aimed at reducing the financial burden on the exchequer while expediting project execution.The scheme is already being implemented for select projects, including the Musi riverfront development project and works being undertaken by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), Hyderabad Growth Corridor Limited (HGCL) and Musi Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (MRDCL).Officials said the proposed law would empower HMDA, urban development authorities, district collectors and other authorities notified by the govt to implement land pooling schemes.Chief secretary Sanjay Jaju is said to be keen on adopting the model across Telangana as a win-win arrangement, enabling the govt to secure land for projects without massive upfront expenditure while allowing landowners to retain a stake in future development through serviced plots. Officials claim there is a good response from the land losers as they would be financially benefited with the developed projects.Officials said the state govt has already prepared a Telangana Comprehensive Area Development and Planning Bill, 2026 for land pooling scheme which will be implemented for all kinds of infrastructure and other projects in irrigation, roads and buildings and other departments across the state if it gives good results in HMDA and Musi riverfront development projects.The push comes as the govt requires thousands of acres for major projects such as the Regional Ring Road, greenfield expressway, the proposed bullet train terminal and other infrastructure works within HMDA limits and the core urban region economy (CURE) area, particularly in Rangareddy district.Under the proposed policy framework, benefits will extend not only to patta landowners but also assigned landholders, occupants of ceiling surplus and Bhoodan lands, as well as certain categories of govt land occupants. However, the quantum of developed land to be returned will vary based on ownership status and the location of the land.Patta landowners will receive a higher share, while those occupying govt land will be entitled to smaller extents. Lands situated in full tank level zones or buffer areas of lakes and rivers will also attract lower returns owing to environmental restrictions.Officials stressed that land pooling is not intended to bypass the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (LARR) Act, 2013, but to facilitate faster project implementation while ensuring benefits to affected families.The proposed policy retains provisions for public notifications, declarations of intent, objection and suggestion periods, and time-bound approvals. It also provides for withdrawal or modification of schemes to address errors or irregularities.The draft envisages two modes of implementation. The first is consent-based land pooling (CLP), under which landowners voluntarily come together and request the government to undertake development through land pooling.The second is guided land pooling (GLP), where the govt initiates pooling in strategically important zones such as ring roads, urban expansion areas, industrial corridors and proposed townships. In such cases, unanimous consent of all landowners may not be required.“The govt is set to institutionalise land pooling as the preferred model for acquiring land for infrastructure and development projects across Telangana, replacing costly acquisition processes with a system that returns developed land to landowners,” a senior official said.Officials said GLP projects would utilise provisions available for infrastructure projects under the LARR Act, while continuing compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement benefits wherever applicable.BOXHyderabad: The govt recently issued GO 240 for the Musi riverfront development project and GO 243 covering HMDA and HGCL projects, formally operationalising land pooling in these areas.Under these schemes, patta landowners will receive either a 50:50 share of developed land between the govt and landowner or 1,400 square yards per acre, whichever is lower. Owners of lands falling within lake or river buffer zones will be eligible for 800 square yards per acre or transferable development rights (TDR) as applicable. Lands located in FTL areas will qualify for 400 square yards per acre or TDR, while encroachers on govt land in such areas will receive 300 square yards per acre.Calling the model a practical alternative to traditional acquisition, chief secretary Jaju said: “The land pooling schemes could be a good win-win alternative to the taxing land acquisition efforts in various transport including irrigation projects.”GFX:Institutional Structure:• State Government designates one or more Appropriate Authorities with defined jurisdiction and powers.• Land Reconstitution Officer (LRO) appointed for GuidedLand Pooling Scheme, a quasi-judicial officer with powers to finalize plot allotments, valuations, and compensation.• Board of Appeal to hear disputes on compensation, contributions, ownership, and LRS / assigned-land matters; jurisdiction of civil courts is barred.• Associations of Owners and Beneficiaries can be constituted to participate in scheme implementation.• Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) reviews draft scheme proposals for technical appropriateness.Special safeguards for assigned lands — tenure and non-alienation conditions continue even after substitution with a final plot.• Earmarking of land for EWS housing, public purposes, and green/social infrastructure.Purpose-Specific Chapters:• Separate dedicated provisions for Slum Redevelopment, Industrial Clusters, and Agricultural Land Pooling.Finance & Governance:• Dedicated Fund and Accounts for Land Pooling; provisions for public–private partnerships, land-value capture, development charges, and waivers.• Grievance redressal mechanism and digital / participatory platforms for transparency.• State Government retains rule-making, policy-making, and guidance powers, plus powers to act if an Appropriate Authority fails to perform its duties.
