Hyderabad: HMDA earns Rs 1,225 Cr revenue through building, layout permissions in 9 months

Hyderabad: Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has earned Rs 1,225 crore in revenue through building and layout permissions in the first nine months of 2025.

Contrary to the perception of a market slump, the HMDA approved nearly 10,000 applications between January and September this year, marking one of the most productive periods in the authority’s history.

Building and Layout approvals hit New High

According to HMDA Commissioner Sarfaraz Ahmad, permissions were granted for 8.8 million sq. m. of built-up space and 2,862 acres of layouts during the period.

Building permissions saw a 239% rise, while layout approvals registered an exceptional 512% growth compared to 2024.

Officials said HMDA processed 6,079 applications, representing a 49% increase over 2024 and 36% over 2023. Of these, 2,961 were for building permissions, up 18% from last year, while 2,904 applications were cleared, a 47% jump over the previous year.

Multi-Storey Projects Lead the Boom

The most significant surge came from multi-storey building (MSB) approvals. HMDA sanctioned 77 MSB projects covering 78.71 lakh sq. m. of built-up area, generating Rs 514 crore in revenue.

This marks a 139% jump in built-up area and a 139% increase in revenue compared to the same period in 2023, when 55 MSB projects were approved for 37.03 lakh sq. m., yielding Rs 215 crore.

Data-Driven Governance brings Speed and Transparency

Commissioner Ahmad credited this remarkable turnaround to the authority’s digital transformation and accountability measures.

“Each file is tracked through a specialised digital dashboard that allows for instant escalation of bottlenecks,” he said. “Officers are now accountable for every application, and we have daily monitoring at the commissioner’s level.”

HMDA has developed a dedicated mechanism to categorise pending files based on their pendency. These include the files pending for over 60 days, 30–60 days, less than 30 days, and within a week.

“This structured approach has enabled us to identify and resolve delays swiftly,” Ahmad added.

Pendency reduced to below 2%

Through rigorous follow-up, systematic review, and real-time monitoring, HMDA has achieved a major milestone, bringing the pendency of files beyond 30 days to below 2%.

“Our goal is to make HMDA a zero-pendency organisation,” Ahmad said, adding that the authority has also achieved record stakeholder satisfaction through transparent and time-bound clearances.

Unprecedented growth despite market caution

Officials pointed out that the surge in permissions and revenue underscores sustained confidence in Hyderabad’s real estate market, despite a cautious outlook nationwide.

With streamlined approvals, robust monitoring, and rapid clearances, the HMDA’s performance this year has set new benchmarks for urban governance and development facilitation in the metropolitan region, the HMDA Commissioner added.