The modification of the existing Development Control (DC) regulations, 1991, made under pressure from the state, relaxes restriction on height of structures in the suburbs. The height restriction in suburbs will now be 22 metres, as against the current 16 metres, making it comparable with that in the island city. Height restriction on buildings in the city is already 22 metres.

Housing activist Chandrashekhar Prabhu said this is another step taken by the government in favour of builders. ``It's a wrong decision, and slumdwellers too must protest. A 22-meter-tall building means seven floors with a lift, maintenance of which would be difficult for slumdwellers. Further, what would happen is that slumdwellers within the CoastalRegulation Zone will be shifted beyond the permissible limits and prime vacated land will be developed as per the prevailing 1 FSI, only to be sold to private parties.''

Architect P K Das too strongly derided the government's decision to modify DC rules and increase height restrictions in suburbs. ``The whole slum rehabilitation scheme is headed nowhere, builders are not coming forward and all the government is doing is finding ways of begging to entice them.''

Both Das and Prabhu said infrastructure will be strained as construction will increase, and even existing buildings in the coastal area could be extended upwards. In any case, the extra TDR cannot be used in the CRZ area within 500 meters of the sea-face, as the CRZ notification of 1991 allows only 1 FSI in the coastal area. But what will happen is that TDR which could not be used in the island city earlier will now be used, said G S Gill, managing director of Shivshahi Punarvasan Prakalp Limited.

The state government had given directives to BMCto allow increase in height of structures from 16 metres to 22 metres in suburbs and extended suburbs in category 1 of the coastal area zone, while utilising the slum TDR. The move was affected as height restriction prevented builders from utilising TDR in coastal areas.

Leader of opposition in BMC Kisan Jadhav took exception to the manner in which the proposal was passed. He said, ``A condition should be inserted in the rules that builders first have to complete the rehab building for slumdwellers and then utilise extra TDR. It is observed that builders take advantage of the TDR policy and utilise it first, leaving many a construction incomplete.''

But Digambar Kandarkar, chairman of the Improvements Comittee said there is nothing wrong in the move, as many buildings in the coastal area were already tall, and by relaxing height restrictions ``we are only removing discrepancies between the city and the suburbs.''