BMC could profit at your expense

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner Subodh Kumar has suggested that areas like flowerbed, staircase, veranda, storage inside flats, previously exempted from the FSI calculation, should now be included and sold at a premium. Such a move will fill BMC’s coffers, but leave consumers poorer.

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner Subodh Kumar has suggested that areas like flowerbed, staircase, veranda, storage inside flats, previously exempted from the FSI calculation, should now be included and sold at a premium. Such a move will fill BMC’s coffers, but leave consumers poorer.

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The BMC chief enjoys discretionary powers to exempt certain areas from FSI calculations. If approved, the proposal could allow the BMC chief to regularise free-of-FSI areas, currently utilised illegally. The decision will not apply with retrospective effect. Kumar’s proposal recommends a hefty premium for use of such areas, which, officials fear, will be passed on by builders to consumers. For residential buildings, the proposed premium is 100% of the ready reckoner rates, while for industrial and commercial, it is 125% and 150% respectively.

Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan discussed the initiative with senior officials on Tuesday. Mantralaya officials told HT that the chief minister has decided to gauge public reaction to the proposal before approving it.