PMC Plans to propose more FSI for old buildings
For redevelopment of old properties in Pune, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) may propose more FSI to tackle congestion in old city areas. The details of the proposal will be incorporated in the revised Development Plan (DP) of the old city. The DP of the old city areas will lay out policies and proposals for development and use of land.
“Efforts by the corporation to redevelop old city areas have not worked. No builders are interested to redevelop old properties, like wadas, because of the restricted FSI. Along with other options, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) should also try town planning schemes in the old city areas,” said Ramchandra Gohad, the state’s former deputy director of town planning.
The civic body has identified around 18,000 old properties in Kasba Peth, Budhwar Peth, Shaniwar Peth, Nana Peth, Bhavani Peth, Ganj Peth and Narayan Peth, of which about 10,000 are very old. Some of these properties need immediate repair works or redevelopment.
“The density of population in old areas has multiplied, but redevelopment of properties is uneconomical for real estate developers. As a result we live in dingy rooms in old wadas which are extremely congested and unsafe. Five-six members live in one room,” says N V Puranik a senior citizen in Shaniwar Peth.
PMC plans to introduce a proposal allocating additional floor space index (FSI) for redevelopment of old properties. This would help pave the way for decongestion of old city areas and upgrade the basic infrastructure.
“We are thinking of a remedy to tackle congestion in old city areas. Proposal of additional FSI is feasible. We are also looking at Mumbai’s initiative in this regard,” said municipal commissioner Mahesh Pathak on Tuesday. He said the details of the proposal will be incorporated in the revised Development Plan (DP) of the old city.
NCP corporator Nilesh Nikam said, “Cities around the world are abolishing restrictions of FSI. Cities are going vertical and we have to think in this direction. The development of the old city areas is impossible without additional FSI.”
As of now, the PMC allows 1.5 FSI in the old city areas (including Peth areas). The PMC has studied the possible impact of additional FSI in the city.
The DP of the old city areas, which is likely to be completed by end of December, will lay out policies and proposals for development and use of land. It is meant to guide decisions on whether development permission should be granted under the development control rules. The decisions must be consistent and match the DP adopted by the authority after public consultation.
Recently a group of citizens from the old city areas submitted a demand to chief minister Prithviraj Chavan that rules for FSI in old city areas be made flexible.
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