Security beefed up at AU for house pattas distribution to 28,445 families - The HinduPublished - September 18, 2026 07:42 pm IST - VISAKHAPATNAMSeating arrangements have been made for the title deeds distribution programme at AU Engineering College Grounds in Visakhapatnam on Friday. | Photo Credit: V. RAJUChief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will distribute title deeds to 28,445 families, ending a four-decade-long wait for poor and middle-class people in Visakhapatnam who have been waiting for full ownership rights to their houses, on Saturday. Elaborate arrangements are being made at AU Engineering College grounds as the programme will begin at the venue at 3 p.m.The land being regularised covers 399 acres, comprising 19,33,853 square yards, with a total estimated value of ₹8,874 crore. This is the first time Visakhapatnam is undertaking such a large-scale regularisation and distribution of house-site title deeds. The regularisation process will benefit families across several areas from Gajuwaka to Bheemunipatnam.The move will help thousands of families who have been living in their own houses but without full legal rights over the land. The absence of title deeds prevented them from fully enjoying, transferring or securing their property for the future.After assuming office in 2024, the NDA government in the State focused on the issue, following representations from the public elected representatives. The CM subsequently directed officials to regularise government land on which houses had been constructed, wherever there were no objections, and grant ownership rights to the occupants.Mr. Naidu stated in a social media post that Saturday’s programme was not “merely a distribution of title deeds, but a historic occasion” that would provide full ownership rights of the houses of beneficiaries to 28,445 families. He said that seeing happiness among families who had waited for decades for ownership rights of the houses in which they live would be the government’s true satisfaction.AU decked upIn-charge Minister Dola Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy along with MLA Velagapudi Ramakrishna Babu, District Collector Abhishikt Kishore, Commissioner of Police, Shankabratha Bagchi, GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg and other officials inspected the arrangements for the programme on Friday.Foolproof arrangements have been made for the event. A huge police bandobust has already been deployed, bringing the city under complete security cover.Published - September 18, 2026 07:42 pm ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }