Approval Delays
Bharat Future City Approval Bottleneck: Only 18 of 80 Layout Applications Approved as FCDA Grapples with Staff Shortage
As of July 2026, Bharat Future City remains in early but active development phase, with 80 layout applications submitted to FCDA, but only 18 approved so far due largely to FCDA staff shortages. The authority is still building its operational capacity.
| Applications Received | 80 layout applications submitted to FCDA |
|---|---|
| Approvals Granted | Only 18 layouts approved out of 80 applications |
| Approval Rate | 22.5% (18 out of 80) |
| Primary Constraint | FCDA staff shortages and operational capacity still being built |
| FCDA Jurisdiction | 765 sq km covering 56 villages across Amangal, Ibrahimpatnam, Kadthal, Kandukur, Maheshwaram and Manchala mandals |
| Core Development Area | 15,000 acres for core city; 15,000 acres for forest and eco-tourism zones |
| Developer Hotspots | Lemuru, Kandukur, Thummalur, Kadthal along Srisailam Highway; Yacharam along Nagarjuna Sagar Highway |
| FCDA Operations Start | FCDA began issuing its own layout and building permissions in late 2025 |
| FCDA Headquarters Location | 7.5 acres in Survey No.112, Mirkhanpet in Kandukur mandal |
The Approval Backlog: Numbers and Timeline
As of July 2026, Bharat Future City is in its early but active development phase with 80 layout applications submitted to FCDA. Only 18 layouts have been approved out of 80 applications received. This 22.5% approval rate reflects a significant bottleneck in a project intended to become India's first net-zero greenfield smart city.
The relatively slow pace of approvals is largely attributed to FCDA staff shortages as the authority continues building its operational capacity. While the Future City Development Authority was formally established via Telangana Cabinet order in March 2025, FCDA did not begin issuing its own layout and building permissions until late 2025.
What Triggered the Delay: Administrative Transition
The approval delays stem from a major administrative restructuring. The state government merged several surrounding urban and rural local bodies into the FCDA to facilitate planned, seamless and centralised development, effectively halting all new approvals during the transition period. Of these, 36 villages were earlier under the HMDA and 20 under the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP).
The appointment of K. Shashaka, a 2013 batch IAS officer, as the first commissioner on April 28 marked a turning point, with the state government now focusing on operationalising the authority.
Where Developer Interest Is Concentrated
Lemuru, Kandukur, Thummalur, and Kadthal along Srisailam Highway, and Yacharam along Nagarjuna Sagar Highway, are attracting the most developer attention. These micro-markets are expected to see significant land price appreciation as the master plan takes shape and infrastructure development accelerates.
The proposed Future City will largely extend across areas falling under Mucherla, Meerkhanpet and Kandukur villages.
FCDA's Operational Milestones and Next Steps
Nearly 40 per cent of the construction work on the FCDA headquarters at Mirkhanpet in Kandukur mandal has been completed, with the basement and pillar works finished and the building to be ready by the February 2026 deadline set by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. On 10 June 2026, CM Revanth Reddy and Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka inaugurated the Future City Development Authority(FCDA) building.
With systems now in place, FCDA has started accepting and processing applications for open plot layouts and residential buildings. Accelerating these approvals will be critical to unblocking the 62 pending layout applications and meeting developer timelines.
Project Scale and Vision
With a staggering total FCDA jurisdiction of approximately 765 square kilometres, Bharat Future City is positioned to become the fourth major urban centre after Hyderabad, Secunderabad, and Cyberabad. Led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, the project aims to contribute to a $1 trillion economy for Telangana by 2034.
The planned zones include AI City, Life Sciences Hub, EV & Energy Park, Electronics & Manufacturing Zone, Data Centre Hub, Health City, Education Zone, and Residential Zone.
Development phases
Frequently asked questions
Why are layout approvals moving slowly at Bharat Future City?
The relatively slow pace of approvals is largely attributed to FCDA staff shortages as the authority continues building its operational capacity.
Which areas in Bharat Future City are seeing the most developer interest?
Lemuru, Kandukur, Thummalur, and Kadthal along Srisailam Highway, and Yacharam along Nagarjuna Sagar Highway, are attracting the most developer attention.
When did FCDA start issuing approvals?
FCDA did not begin issuing its own layout and building permissions until late 2025.
How many villages does Bharat Future City cover?
The 765 sq km FCDA covers 56 villages across Amangal, Ibrahimpatnam, Kadthal, Kandukur, Maheshwaram and Manchala mandals.
What are the planned specialised zones in Future City?
The planned zones include AI City, Life Sciences Hub, EV & Energy Park, Electronics & Manufacturing Zone, Data Centre Hub, Health City, Education Zone, and Residential Zone.
How large is the overall project?
The FCDA jurisdiction covers approximately 765 square kilometres, positioned to become the fourth major urban centre, with the project aiming to contribute to a $1 trillion economy for Telangana by 2034.
Sources
- Bharat Future City Hyderabad — Complete Guide to Telangana's $1 Trillion Mega Project
- FCDA Begins Building Permissions for Future City
- FCDA Masterplan — Bharat Future City Zone, Hyderabad
- FCDA to Begin Operations from June in Future City
- Future City Hyderabad — Fourth City Telangana
- Singapore DPR for Future City