Maharashtra blamed for FSI delay

The spat between the state government and the civic body over granting additional floor space index (FSI) in the suburbs seems to have gone from bad to worse. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) blamed the state government for delaying the use of an additional 0.33 FSI in the suburbs.

The corporation on Wednesday shot a fresh reminder letter to the chief minister Prithviraj Chavan to bring the decision of granting additional FSI in suburbs in force immediately.

“The state government cleared the bill to hike the FSI to 1.33 in the suburbs and eventually bring down the rate of Transfer Development Rate (TDR) in the winter session of 2010. But so far, they have not passed the government regulation,” said improvement committee chairman, Bhalchandra Shirsat.

The impending proposal has pushed redevelopment projects in the suburbs in limbo. “The buildings are in dire need of repair but the tenants are holding redevelopment for this move to come into action. The bill was cleared, then why is the state government shying away from implementing the bill?” he questioned.

In April 2008, the state government amended section 32 of Development Control (DC) regulations to grant additional 0.33 FSI in suburbs on payment of a premium. Currently, a basic FSI of 1 is allowed in the suburbs. Developers on their part, have to purchase extra (TDR) equivalent to another 1. This in turn is said to increase the cost of redevelopment and making it unviable for tenants.