E-Paper
State govt paves way for 4 FSI along Pune metro stations, but not all plot owners to benefit
Prashant Waghmare, PMC city engineer, said, “Not all plot owners under the transit-oriented development zone will get the benefit of 4 FSI. The FSI is up to 4 and depends on the size of the plot and the width of the road. Eighty per cent plots around the metro stations are small in size. ”
After the state government announced transit-oriented development policy in a 500-metre radius around the metro stations in Pune on March 8 and fixed the maximum permissible floor space index (FSI) to 4, not all plot owners will benefit from it. (FSI is the ratio of built-up area to the area of the plot on which a building stands.)
Prashant Waghmare, PMC city engineer, said, “The state government’s approval would help in the development of the city. However, not all plot owners under the transit-oriented development zone will get the benefit of 4 FSI. The FSI is up to 4 and depends on the size of the plot and the width of the road. Eighty per cent plots around the metro stations are small in size, it will also be very difficult to bring flat owners together for redevelopment work. ”
As per the original proposal, 4 FSI was applicable in a 500-metre radius around both sides of the entire metro corridor. However, the PMC sent a letter to the urban development department and asked them to allow 4 FSI only around the metro stations and not along the entire metro corridor, so that there could be decreased construction. The state government accepted the PMC’s proposal and allowed the transit-oriented development policy only around the metro stations.
However, while approving the policy, the state government put a condition on the road width and plot size for getting 4 FSI. At least 80 per cent of the plots along the metro corridors are small in size. Hence, residents will not able to be get the benefit of 4 FSI.
The decision will pave way for redevelopment of the buildings near the metro stations. The policy aims at planned development near the metro stations to achieve greater population densification through residential and commercial properties.
The urban development department has asked the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to undertake an impact assessment study of the policy and to prepare a comprehensive action plan. The department has also asked PMC to carry out the suggestions and objections regarding this policy in the next 30 days.
“The state government said that the policy will be executed from March 8, however, PMC is yet to receive the suggestions and objections for the policy .If the government is serious about suggestions, then, they should wait for it before executing the policy. The purpose of generating more revenue will not be solved,” said Ujwal Keskar, Bharatiya Janata Party leader.
“Allowing 4 FSI is a wrong decision and is being carried out without any study. This policy will create more chaos in the city. If the government says only few plot owners will benefit, then, they should provide a detailed report of the same,” said Vandana Chavan, NCP MP and activist.
TOD zone in 500m radius around metro stations
The Floor Space Index would depend on factors such as road width and the size of the plot
-Road width in metres/Minimum plot area in square metre/maximum permissible FSI
-9m to 12m/below 1,000/2
-12m to 18m/above 1,000/2.5
-18m to 24m / above 2,000/ 3
-24m to 30m/ above 3,000/3.5
-30m and above/ above 4,000/4
(If the plot around the metro station is 1,000 metre then construction up to 2 FSI can be done.)
What is Transit-oriented development ?
-The union urban development ministry has formulated national transit-oriented development (TOD) policy to address the challenges of urbanisation.
-The policy framework aims to promote living close to mass urban transit corridors like the metros, monorail and bus rapid transit system (BRTS).
TOD for Pune
-FSI would depend on factors such as road width and the size of the plot.
-The Maharashtra government has finally approved the TOD policy in a 500m radius around Metro stations in Pune maximum permissible floor space index (FSI) fixed at 4.
-All plot owners will not get 4 FSI, as FSI would depend on factors such as road width and size of the plot.
4 FSI proposal
-To increase the population density and get revenue for the Pune Municipal Corporation, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has proposed the 4 FSI for Pune metro.
-The Pune Municipal Corporation has appointed the DMRC to prepare a detailed project report for the Pune metro.
-This means that citizens can construct 4,000 square feet on 1,000 square feet plot along the metro station.
