New Development Control Rules to push land prices up

The corporators demanded that the amendments in Development Control Rules (DCR) not be applied to cessed and non-cessed old buildings, Mhada layouts, chawls and slums undergoing redevelopment.

On Wednesday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) agreed not to apply the new DCR to these structures.

But these demands will not benefit the people living in the suburbs, as redevelopment of structures under sections 33(7), 33(5), 33(9), 33 (10) and 33 (6) of the DC rules is not applicable for suburbs. This will result in the escalation of the prices of the land across the city and suburb, as there is no other way to create land. 

The new DC rules that allowed developers to build 25% over the permissible FSI in return for a 100% premium to be paid to the BMC were passed unanimously by the civic body on Wednesday, the last day for filing objections and suggestions on the DC rules.

This will also means a waiver of the premium for buildings meant for rehabilitation structures being redeveloped under sections 33(7), 33(5), 33(9), 33 (10) and 33 (6). The compensatory floor space index (FSI) for the saleable component of these structures will, however, be governed by the new rules.

On Wednesday, while discussing the issue in the general body meeting, all the corporators made suggestions for the revised DCR.

While defending charges that property cost would increase municipal commissioner Subodh Kumar said, “These amendment will bring transparency and would curb the violation of FSI.”