1.33 FSI won’t change Mumbai's face, advocate tells Bombay high court

The state government’s decision to increase the Floor Space Index (FSI) in Mumbai’s suburbs from 1 to 1.33 will not make any dramatic difference to the character of the city’s plan, advocate general Ravi Kadam told the high court on Friday.

Amit Maru from Tardeo and Arun Gaikwad from Kurla had filed the PIL in 2008 alleging violation of at least 10 legal provisions by the government while granting increase in FSI. Along with violation of section 37 of the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning (MRTP) Act, 1966, the PIL said it would also infringe on citizens’ right to life under Article 21 because it would lead to lack of basic civic infrastructure.

Kadam pointed out that the drastic effect on the environment as claimed by the petitioner would not take place, as development would be subject to mandatory environment clearance.

Arguing for Maru and Gaikwad, senior counsel Mukhul Rohatgi said that 75 crore square feet of built space could be loaded on suburban properties just by paying some money.

“It is not a locality or a few buildings here. We are talking about every building in the suburbs,” he said.