The new draft on the state’s housing policy will focus more on development in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) providing sops like extra Floor Space Index (FSI) and use of Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) in the region.
On Wednesday, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh announced the draft on the housing policy that concentrates more on development in neighbouring areas of Mumbai including, Mira-Bhayander, Vasai-Virar, Thane and Panvel.
The new policy has been drafted taking into consideration development in MMR areas. While the FSI in Mumbai has not been touched, the state has proposed an increase of FSI in MMR region from 0.5 to 1. “The increase in FSI will only be outside Mumbai limits in the MMR areas. This will increase the housing stock in these areas”, said Deshmukh.
With the World Bank having assured to contribute Rs 270,000 crore for development of MMR over the next 25 years, the state’s plan is a makeover of Mumbai’s adjoining areas with a populace of 1.77 crore that would second largest metropolitan area in the world after Greater Tokyo, Japan.
The MMR area is set for an economic boom—at least ten special economic zones including two by Reliance Group and one international airport project—are coming up. There is already a rise in the service sector and what is needed is world- class infrastructure.
{{/usCountry}}The MMR area is set for an economic boom—at least ten special economic zones including two by Reliance Group and one international airport project—are coming up. There is already a rise in the service sector and what is needed is world- class infrastructure.
{{/usCountry}}High-cost projects including water, sanitation and transport would be implemented here in the near future. The state government has already appointed a Canadian firm LEA International Ltd to draw a business plan for this region. The plan will include strategy for future economic, infrastructural development and housing scenarios for MMR.
“The policy has concentrated mainly on affordable houses for the middle-class. Low cost housing would be made available through public-private partnership”, said Deshmukh. Also TDR has been proposed to move towards MMR areas.
“The use of TDR has moved from the city to the suburbs. This will remain the same except that it will now be extended to MMR area. At present, sometimes, TDR cannot be used even in suburbs due to certain constraints and limitations. Presently, it is only allowed in the city limits. Now, it would be allowed to be utilised in MMR areas”, he said.