FSI for slum projects hiked from 2.5 to 4

Govt Nod A Must For High-Density Rehab Plans Mumbai: The state government has formally increased the floor space index (FSI) for slum rehabilitation projects from 2.5 to a maximum of 4.      The state urban development department issued a notification on Friday after it got an approval from CM Prithviraj Chavan, who also heads the department. As per the notification, projects involving all high-density slums—those having over 650 tenements per hectare—are entitled to an FSI of 4, whereas those with lower tenement density are entitled to 3. Senior officials from the urban development department said that the notification highlights that all procedural formalities concerning the higher FSI move are now complete.      After the move to increase size of each rehabilitation tenement for slum dwellers from 225 sq ft to 269 sq ft in 2009, slum redevelopment projects were allowed higher FSI.      A notification under section 154 of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act (MRTP), 1966, was issued at that time to allow it to implement the provision pending completion of procedural formalities, including invitation of suggestions and objections from citizens. These procedural formalities have now been completed and a formal notification issued, a senior state official said.      FSI is a development tool that determines the extent of construction permitted on a plot. It is a ratio of permissible built-up to the total area of the plot. A higher FSI would allow developers additional construction on slum land. As per the notification, approvals for redevelopment projects with higher tenement density will be cleared by the state government. The Slum Rehabilitation Authority retains powers to approve schemes with lower tenement density.