The Telangana government has initiated the process of framing a comprehensive land pooling policy to address long-standing challenges in land acquisition for major infrastructure and development projects across the state.
A preliminary draft of the Telangana Comprehensive Area Development Planning Bill, 2026, has been prepared. The proposed legislation is expected to provide the legal framework for implementing land pooling. The proposal was discussed during a series of meetings chaired by Chief Secretary Sanjai Jaju at the State Secretariat, with senior officials from multiple departments participating.
Officials from the Municipal Administration, Transport, Roads and Buildings, Irrigation Department, and the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) participated in deliberations on the key provisions of the proposed legislation.
At present, Telangana does not have a dedicated law governing land pooling. Authorities studying the issue have examined models implemented in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, which are considered effective in facilitating large-scale development while reducing disputes.
The proposed policy aims to establish a uniform mechanism for land pooling across sectors, thereby reducing reliance on traditional land acquisition methods. The government requires large tracts of land for projects such as national highways, railway lines, the Regional Ring Road (RRR), proposed high-speed rail corridors, airport expansions, industrial corridors, townships and irrigation projects.
According to officials, the policy is likely to include provisions under which landowners would voluntarily pool their land and receive a portion of it back as fully developed plots after infrastructure such as roads, drainage systems and utility networks is created.
The Irrigation Department has also played a key role in the drafting process, as several irrigation projects have faced delays due to land acquisition disputes.
The draft Bill is currently at a preliminary stage. The state government is expected to constitute a high-level committee comprising senior officials from various departments to review the proposal and recommend changes before it is finalised.
Officials said the government may draw from the successful land pooling model implemented by the HMDA in Hyderabad's Uppal Bhagayat area, where landowners voluntarily contributed land for infrastructure projects, including the metro rail, and later received developed plots with improved amenities in return.
If implemented, the proposed legislation is expected to streamline land acquisition, accelerate infrastructure development and reduce conflicts between the government and landowners.
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