FSI doubled for cessed buildings

MUMBAI: Striking the right chord just before the elections, the Ashok Chavan government on Wednesday decided to double the floor space index (FSI) to 4 for Mumbai���s over 16,000 old, cessed buildings. The FSI determines the developable space vis-a-vis available area.

Cessed properties are those buildings that were constructed prior to 1960. The government collects cess from the residents of these buildings. At least 5,000 out of the total 16,000 buildings are over a 100 years old.

The decision, besides being a bonanza for the real estate sector, could benefit lakhs of residents living in precarious conditions in Mumbai���s decrepit buildings. The state Cabinet, at its weekly meet on Wednesday, decided to increase the FSI, which was earlier in the 2-2.5 range, to 4 now.

���The move is aimed at expediting the redevelopment of these buildings. Today���s decision will pave the way for this process,��� Mr Chavan said after the meet. The issue was hanging fire for quite a few years.

The Mumbai Building Repair Reconstruction Board had planned to redevelop old and dilapidated buildings two years ago, but the project never took off because of the builders��� demand for extra FSI.

The issue was also stuck in a legal tangle. The Bombay High Court, in 2006, restricted the redevelopment of old buildings after residents objected to the construction of buildings that were less than two metres of each other. The Supreme Court, on September last year, ruled against the November 2006 Bombay HC directive restricting the redevelopment of cessed property in Mumbai.

The apex court also set aside the HC order and waived all HC-imposed restrictions. Among these were compulsory open space, Mhada certification and approvals from new committees.

The redevelopment of these buildings then awaited chief minister Mr Chavan���s approval which finally came on Wednesday.
���The timing of the decision is crucial,��� a government official noted indicating that the political exigency was behind the decision.