Pune:PCMC may raise FSI to 1.8

In a significant move, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has proposed to increase the floor space index (FSI) to 1.8 from 1 for buildings in areas where mass transport systems are being developed. A proposal tabled by municipal commissioner Ashish Sharma before the law committee states that for granting the additional 0.8 FSI, the civic body will take royalty from the developers, depending on the zone where their land is located.Granting additional FSI will increase the viability of the mass transport system, boost development and help in getting additional revenue for the municipal corporation, states the proposal. The revenue is expected to increase by Rs 200 crore per year if the proposal is implemented. Sharma said that the proposal is based on the central government’s recommendation that there should be high population density along the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) routes. As per the proposal, the royalty charges will be Rs 12,000 per sq.m. in zone A, Rs 8,000 per sq.m. in zone B and Rs 6,000 per sq.m. in zone C of the municipal limit. The civic body will invite suggestions and objections from the public before sending the proposal to the state government for approval. The plan also states that the municipal commissioner will have the right to sanction the additional FSI. However, if educational institutions and information technology (IT) units have already received more than 1.8 FSI under the state government rules, they will not be entitled to the additional FSI from the PCMC. The central government, while approving the mass transport system, said the BRTS routes will increase the importance of the areas covered. The population density of these sectors need to be more for higher usage and benefit of the BRTS facility. Discussions were held on this subject between the state government and civic bodies, before the central government approved the BRTS. Moreover, if permission for additional FSI is granted, new buildings will replace the old and the corporation revenue will also get a boost. The proposal points out that the major source of income for the municipal corporation is just octroi, therefore alternatives need to be found to increase the income. An unreasonable increase in the ‘transfer of development’ rights (TDR) rates in any area will be prevented if additional FSI is granted, adds the proposal.