The Hindu Business Line : More FSI for old Mumbai buildings?

THE Maharashtra Government is considering a hike in floor space index (FSI) from 2.5 to 4 for the redevelopment of 19,000 old buildings in Mumbai city.

However, the rider is that the redevelopment would have to be undertaken by the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA).

A statement to this effect was made today by the Chief Minister, Mr Vilasrao Deshmukh, in the Lower House of the State Legislature, in reply to a calling attention notice by Mr Narayan Rane, former Chief Minster and leader of Opposition in the Lower House, pertaining to the Mumbai makeover plans.

The Chief Minister's statement drew mixed response from builders and architects of the city.

Architect Mr Hafeez Contractor told Business Line that any increase in FSI was welcome. "This would bring parity between the realty prices and the earning capacity of the people. Moreover, it will throw up large tracts of open space in the city. The World Bank has already talked about such a requirement in Mumbai," Mr Contractor said.

Fifty five per cent of Mumbai lives in slums, while many reside in old buildings with poor water supply and drainage systems. Such a move will ensure the entry of a new tax regime, as the existing taxes for old buildings are negligible, Mr Contractor said. This will mean better buildings for Mumbai.

However, some builders expressed unhappiness that MHADA was being given preferential treatment over the private builders. The city has 19,000 old buildings mostly located in the island city. About 16,000 of these date back to 1940s, and many of them are in dilapidated conditions. Around 1,400 buildings were built between 1940 and 1960.

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