Maharashtra government’s take on FSI for redevelopment

Increasing the speed of redevelopment

As the speed of rebuilding of ceased structures by MBRRB was not adequate enough to cover the entire ceased structures in the Island City of Mumbai, Government decided upon involving tenants, landlords and private developers for increasing the speed of redevelopment.

As per Development Control Rules FSI or Floor Space Index is the area of construction permitted on a particular land. Permitted FSI in Mumbai depends on various factors such as land’s location, kind of current residence and the project to be developed.

Because of the conflicts between while Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) and City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco) board over the FSI rates, Government of Maharashtra is indecisive over finalizing the FSI for redevelopment of dilapidated buildings in Navi Mumbai area. NMMC has offered 2.5 FSI previously, whereas Cidco board agreed upon 3 FSI. Government has to select either of the two choices or find an agreeable solution.

Each of these proposals has their pros and cons. Though Cidco’s offer may look more convincing and transparent to the residents and they also state that their proposal will generate housing stock for economically weaker section but it also comes with the condition that members of the society will not have the right to choose their developers.

As per NMMC, 3 FSI proposed by Cidco will produce infrastructure problem for the city. On the other hand, Cidco says that NMMC’s proposal will be more helpful to developers rather than occupants. This way the developers will load the property buyers with added cost as they have to pay premium for Free of Floor Space Index Area.