Singhania highrise at Breach Candy exceeds FSI 10 times: BMC chief

Mumbai: A new BMC order may spell further trouble for the 37-storeyed Breach Candy tower built on a one-acre plot by the Singhanias of Raymond.      A report prepared by municipal commissioner Sitaram Kunte observed that excessive concessions granted to the developer caused a “mammoth’’ construction of 27,400 sq m against a floor space index ( of 2,570 sq m. “The total construction area is more than ten times the FSI computation,’’ it said. FSI is the ratio which determines how much can be built on a plot.      “This is a case that causes serious concerns from the urban planning point of view,’’ said Kunte, in his 35-page order accessed by TOIon Wednesday. “The order implies that the tower’s height could reduce by at least six to seven floors,’’ said a senior civic official. It said large areas which were not counted in the FSI “shall be counted in FSI’’.      It is learned that the excessive concessions were sanctioned in 2008 by then municipal commissioner Jairaj Phatak, who was later suspended by the state for his alleged role in the Adarsh society scandal.      The BMC had halted work on the building in 2012 following an adverse note by Kunte’s predecessor, Subodh Kumar, who found the concessions “excessive and misusable’’.  Raymond’s Response      An official spokesperson for Raymond said: “We have received the municipal commissioner’s order. We are studying it in consultation with our legal advisors.’’Raymond needs to get state nod for oversized duplexes: Kunte  Mumbai: Former civic chief Subodh Kumar had made adverse remarks against the Singhanias’ upcoming tower at Breach Candy. “These are nothing but extra covered spaces, which are not permissible, are in total disregard of the spirit of development control rules…. Please make a report to government to fix responsibility,’’ Kumar had instructed officers a few days before he retired in May 2012.      The building known as JK House comprises basement plus stilts, shops on the firstt and second floors, parking levels and two refuge floors between the third and 14th floors and a museum between the 15th and 18th floors. The 19th floor is a service area while the floors from 20 to 36 are for residences, fire refuge, amenities and AC plant room. The total height of the tower is 142.56 m.      The skyscraper was allowed an area of 2,563 sq m just for fire refuge floors and refuge areas. Kunte ordered that the fire refuge areas and fire escape passages can be free of FSI only up to 4% of the built up area it serves. Anything in excess of this “shall be counted in FSI in accordance with the National Building Code’’.      “There have been instances in Mumbai where project proponents have merged refuge areas, fire escape passages, parking floors, elevation features and used them as habitable areas. Designated officers appointed by BMC are taking action against such misuse. The only safeguard that BMC has in this case is obtaining registered undertaking against misuse. Such areas cannot be effectively subjected to policing on perpetual basis by our staff,’’ said Kunte.      Kunte also found that apartments including duplexes on the higher floors were each over 70 sq m in area. “File papers do not show any approval from the state government for tenement areas in excess of 70 sq m. Hence, Raymond needs to obtain clearance from state government,’’ his order said. “The area of the shops and duplex floors having height in excess of 4.2 m shall be counted 1.5 times in FSI,’’ it added.      “Raymond Ltd is directed to submit modified plans in accordance with this order and applicable regulations. The plans shall be accompanied by clarification and clearance from government,’’ said Kunte’s order. The 37-storeyed JK House