Cong-NCP legislators meet CM,voice fears over revised development rules

Chavan reportedly promised to hold a series of meetings involving all stakeholders before finalising the revised DC rules.

While Amin Patel made a detailed presentation on the expected impact of the revised norms on the redevelopment projects in the island city,Baba Siddiqui spoke for the suburbs.

“There are various problems with the revised DC rules,” said Patel after the meeting. “The biggest issue is the proposed rule regarding a six-metre gap between buildings. This is not practical in congested areas of south Mumbai.” he added.

The proposed modifications to the Development Control rules were prepared by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation with a view to rein in flagrant ‘loading’ on carpet area by developers,a manipulation that forces buyers to pay much more than the actual cost of the flat.

Areas granted to the builders,such as individual terraces,swimming pools,balconies and ornamental projections that were not part of the FSI calculations earlier,will now be included. The modifications also propose to curb further congestion in the island city.

Patel also suggested that no premium payment should be demanded from builders for non-FSI areas such as flower beds and sun decks in rehabilitation buildings. “Builders will simply not build these amenities if these are charged,” he said. He also recommended that premium for these areas in free sale buildings should be 50 per cent and not 100 per cent.

NCP MLA Nawab Malik also sought that retired bureaucrats including Dinesh Afzalpurkar and DM Sukthankar be invited to participate in the process of formalising the DC regulations.