To rev up biz, Maharashtra unlocks farm land for luxury hotels

MUMBAI: As part of its Make in Maharashtra push for business, the government has amended laws to unlock land in agricultural and no-development zones for luxury hotels along state and national highways.

This comes on the back of the government increasing building rights for industry on farm land in May. Then it hiked construction rights for amenities like restaurants and malls on agricultural land along state and national highways.

Under the new rules, three-star hotels and above category will now be allowed to exploit ten times the earlier building rights in this zone. The building rights will be hiked from a floor space index of 0.1 to 1, main ly for ground-plus-one storey structures. However, luxury hotels can build higher only on an independent plot of land in this zone. The additional construction rights will be available on payment of a premium of 35% of non-agricultural land rate.

Government officials fficials say the move will promote development along highways and boost the hospitality industry. "There will be better amenities for travellers and an incentive for hotels to expand in this area," said urban development secretary Nitin Kareer, pointing out that the building rights given to hotels in cities are 3-5 times higher.

However, environmental groups say the decision will lead to reduction of farm lands and no-development zones. "This could result in a land-grab from farmers. It could also increase the effluents and pollution in this belt," warned D Stalin from Vanashakti.