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Chavan approves extra .33 FSI in suburbs
Long-standing demand z Developers can avail additional floor space index on payment of premium; total FSI now 1.33
Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on Thursday approved an additional 0.33 FSI in the suburbs of Mumbai, a long-standing demand from developers and a move that was first initiated in 2008 before being challenged in court. Developers will be able to avail the additional FSI, which now takes the FSI in Mumbai’s suburbs to 1.33, on payment of a premium.
Announcing the decision on the sidelines of an investors’ summit in Mumbai, Chavan said: “The legal framework for the decision was ready. There was a fear that increasing the FSI could put unnecessary burden on infrastructure in the suburbs. However, after lengthy discussions with officials, including the Municipal Commissioner, we have concluded that FSI up to two is already consumed through use of Transferable Development Rights (TDR).”
The CM added that the decision would lead to the state government and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) earning significant revenues from the premium paid by the developers.
The Vilasrao Deshmukh government increased the base FSI in the suburbs from 1 to 1.33 in March 2008. The move was aimed at reducing developers’ dependence on TDR or floating FSI, a commodity that is controlled by a handful of developers, such as DB Realty, HDIL and Ackruti.
Within months, the policy was challenged in the Bombay High Court and the state government has been swaying back and forth on this issue since then. Urban Development Department (UDD) officials have been in favour of scrapping the extra FSI policy even as the BMC pushed for its implementation. The UDD held that while the TDR stock is limited to a few lakh sq metres, granting the 0.33 FSI, on the other hand, will unleash a 30 million sq m of built-up space in the 300-sq km of the suburbs.
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This is an illadvised move to please the powerful builder lobby, on the eve of the BMC elections .Mumbai should be saved from further construction and congestion. From where will these buildings get enough water and power?