Amend plans, eco panel tells builders

The State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC), the environment body which has raised questions over the Lodha Group’s plans to build a 117-storey tower in Lower Parel, has also objected to development proposals by Indiabulls and DB Realty in central Mumbai.

The State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC), the environment body which has raised questions over the Lodha Group’s plans to build a 117-storey tower in Lower Parel, has also objected to development proposals by Indiabulls and DB Realty in central Mumbai.

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It has asked the groups to revise their plans, saying they need to reduce the proposed construction area, and raised concerns over strain on infrastructure — water supply, waste generation, population density — in overcrowded areas in the island city.

Indiabulls has been asked to amend proposals for two projects in Lower Parel, at Indiabulls Centre and Elphinstone Mills, which are both residential and commercial in nature. The total construction area for these two projects is 12.2 times and 12.6 times the net plot area respectively.

In the minutes of its meeting held recently, the SEAC has said the Indiabulls plots have already used Floor Space Index (FSI) meant for IT projects and have now sought FSI for public parking.

This would lead to an “unacceptably adverse impact on the environment… in terms of increased traffic, demand on water, waste generation, reduction in open spaces,” the panel, comprising green experts and former bureaucrats, has said.

The DB Realty group has been asked to drastically cut down on construction area for its residential project, Orchid Crown, at Prabhadevi. The construction area here is 15.8 times the plot area.

An official from Indiabulls, who requested anonymity, however said the SEAC’s word was not final. Its observations would be forwarded to the state-level environment impact assessment authority (SEIAA) for clearance.

“This is an ongoing process, where developers make revisions to their proposals to take care of environmental concerns like water supply and waste water treatment. This applies to a majority of new proposals that seek approval from the committee. The revised proposals get clearance,” the official said.

The spokesperson for DB Realty was not available for comment.