State decides to amend law for higher FSI in suburbs

The state on Monday decided to amend the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning Act, 1966, to restore its decision to increase the base Floor Space Index in suburbs from 1 to 1.33.

The state on Monday decided to amend the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning Act, 1966, to restore its decision to increase the base Floor Space Index in suburbs from 1 to 1.33.

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In a meeting, officials from housing, law and judiciary and urban development departments (UDD) decided that Section 22 of the MRTP Act would be amended to include a provision for levying and collecting a premium on additional FSI.

The Bombay High Court had on Thursday set aside the state’s Government Resolution — which allowed for more FSI at additional cost — saying the Act did not contain provisions for levying premium.

“The court admitted the petition on the grounds that the Act did not have such provision, so we will amend the law to make room for such a provision,” said T.C. Benjamin, principal secretary, UDD.

There were fears the ruling would hike realty rates in the suburbs. The state has so far collected Rs 1,000 crore as premium, which is likely to be moved into a Mumbai Development Fund for infrastructure projects.