The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has come to the aid of the old city. Struggling to upgrade basic amenities in the congested area, the civic body plans to woo builders by giving them additional floor space index (FSI) for redevelopment of old properties.

The PMC has begun the process of preparing a new development plan (DP) for the city and the framing of new development control (DC) rules. The old city is still relying on those basic amenities made available in the past. There is not much scope for development due to congestion and the civic administration struggles to meet the demands of the area.

“We are framing a policy that would help in resolving the problems being faced in redevelopment of the old city. The proposal of providing additional FSI for redevelopment of properties and clubbing of small properties in the congested area is under consideration,” PMC city engineer Prashant Waghmare said.

He said the committee would study the impact of possible increase in FSI in the old city area wherein the objective of decongesting the area will be achieved along with the redevelopment of old buildings. At present, the PMC allows 1.5 FSI for buildings in the old city area.

“There is a huge disparity in the basic amenities being provided by the civic body in the old city and those in the new localities. The congestion has stalled the process of development,” said R N Gohad, former deputy director of town planning and presently member of the steering committee on development control (CD) rules.

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