REG NEWS | AMARAVATI
The Andhra Pradesh government has introduced measures to simplify and streamline the process of issuing Occupancy Certificates (OCs) and releasing mortgage deeds for buildings, aiming to reduce procedural delays and make citizen services more transparent.
Through G.O.Ms.No. 255, dated October 16, 2026, the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department has reviewed the existing procedures under the Andhra Pradesh Development Permission Management System (APDPMS) and ordered changes to make the process more efficient.
The APDPMS was introduced to facilitate end-to-end online processing of building plan approvals and Occupancy Certificates, reducing human intervention, limiting discretionary powers, and ensuring time-bound delivery of services.
However, the government observed that the existing OC and mortgage-release procedures continued to involve cumbersome steps despite the online system.
Under the existing process, Occupancy Certificates were issued only after physical site verification in every case, even when the constructed building substantially conformed to the sanctioned plan. This requirement often resulted in avoidable delays for applicants.
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GO Addresses Procedural Issues
The government also identified a lack of integration between the online OC process and the release of mortgage deeds. While OCs were processed online, mortgage releases continued to involve a separate offline procedure.
Although mortgage-release letters were generated online and communicated by the concerned municipal commissioner or vice-chairperson, the system was not integrated with the Registration and Stamps Department’s Integrated Grievance Redressal System (IGRS) portal.
Consequently, applicants or municipal and urban development authority staff had to be physically present before the concerned sub-registrar to complete the process.
The government further observed that mortgage relinquishment was being treated as an additional step after the issuance of an OC, rather than being integrated into the OC proceedings.
The latest order seeks to address these procedural bottlenecks and improve coordination between departments. The detailed provisions on implementation and eligibility will determine how the revised system affects building owners, developers and homebuyers.
The move is expected to benefit property owners and real estate developers by reducing unnecessary procedural hurdles in obtaining occupancy approvals and completing mortgage-release formalities.
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