New norms ease high-rise development, cut upfront costs, and offer flexibility to builders.

Telangana Amends Building Rules, Expands TDR Use to Boost Real Estate.

The Telangana government has amended the Telangana Building Rules, 2012, to streamline the use of Transferable Development Rights (TDR) and relax construction parameters, a move expected to boost real estate activity in Hyderabad and other urban centres. Under GO 95 issued by the MAUD department, a high-rise is now defined as a building of 21 metres or more, excluding non-working structures like water tanks and lift rooms. Buildings between 18 and 21 metres on plots of 750–2,000 sq m can now be constructed only through TDR, subject to parking and safety norms. TDR can also be used for setback relaxations—up to 10% for high-rises—while maintaining minimum safety setbacks. Developers can offset development or conversion charges with TDR where master plan roads are altered. Norms for extra floors on large plots have also been revised. CREDAI Hyderabad welcomed the move, calling it a milestone that improves ease of doing business and reduces upfront capital burden, according to its president, N. Jaideep Reddy.