Andhra Pradesh to Launch Building Penalisation Scheme to Regularise Unauthorised Constructions

The Andhra Pradesh government is set to introduce the Building Penalisation Scheme (BPS), which will be discussed at the Cabinet meeting on September 4. The scheme aims to regularise unauthorised constructions and benefit over one lakh property owners who have built structures with deviations.

“There are more than one lakh such structures across the State. Once the scheme comes into force, the actual numbers will become clear,” said a senior official from the Department of Municipal Administration and Urban Development.

Under the BPS, property owners can regularise deviations through a one-time payment. Those who fail to comply will face penalties, and action will also be taken against officers found negligent in enforcing building regulations.

Revenue generated through the scheme will be used for the development of urban local bodies, including municipalities and corporations. “This is a way to ensure both compliance and urban infrastructure development,” the official added.

The Chief Minister has reportedly instructed officials to publicise the scheme widely. “We want citizens to be fully aware of the scheme and its benefits,” the official said.

Rapid urbanisation in Andhra Pradesh has led to a significant rise in unauthorised constructions. Many of these structures lack proper safety measures and deviate from approved building plans, posing challenges for urban planning authorities. The BPS is designed to bring these constructions into the regulatory framework while generating additional revenue for city development projects.

Experts note that similar schemes in other states have successfully regularised unauthorised structures while funding local infrastructure improvements. The Andhra Pradesh government expects the BPS to achieve comparable results.