Mumbai Development Plan 2034 Proposes FSI of 8: Attracts Criticism
The draft of the Development Plan (DP) 2034 for the city of Mumbai prepared by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed a significant increase in the floor space index (FSI) of up to 8, in order to ease space constraints in the city. While the increase in FSI has certain benefits, it has also attracted criticism by environmentalists and town planners. Following are some of the features and problems of the proposed increase in FSI.
Features of proposed FSI
The plan to increase the FSI by up to 8 was strongly supported by the municipal commissioner. He said that this would ease space constraints in Mumbai and remove price distortion the city’s property market. Mumbai’s property is currently one of the most expensive real estate markets in the world. One of the primary contributors for this high values is the limited FSI in the city. The current FSI is 1.33 in the island city and 1 in the suburbs. Increasing this FSI in certain areas will allow the property prices to come down.
The increased FSI will however be implemented for a limited area, which qualify for obtaining this FSI. The plot size required to obtain this FSI will be higher. These plots will also have mandatory requirements of energy conservation, solid waste management system, and grey water recycling and rain water harvesting. The areas with the proposed FSI will also have to contribute 10 per cent land area to public purposes and affordable housing, and hand it over to the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM).
Apart from reducing space constraints and property prices, the higher FSI is also expected to unlock South Mumbai for utilisation of transfer of development rights (TDR), otherwise known as floating FSI.
Problems with proposed FSI
While the higher FSI is intended to bring down the property prices in Mumbai and reduce space constraints for the next 20 years, it has also attracted criticisms for several reasons. According to the former BMC commissioner, the move of increased FSI will not necessarily mean better housing for all residents of the city, going by past experience. While it may help a few residents in some areas, it will also add burden on environment, transport facilities and infrastructure. The former commissioner also told that the increase in bulk FSI linked to only proximity to mass transit modes and not to the physical and social infrastructure will not improve the quality of life of average citizens.
Hence, while the increase of FSI up to 8 may sound good for several people, the BMC may have to rework the development plan in order to eliminate the problems associated with this increase.
