No 100 pc FSI for traders

PUNE, Dec 29: The Pune Municipal Corporation PMC has expressed its inability to allot hundred per cent floor space index FSI to the t...

PUNE, Dec 29: The Pune Municipal Corporation PMC has expressed its inability to allot hundred per cent floor space index FSI to the traders at Market Yard, Gultekdi stating that the existing illegal structures had already violated various provisions of the development control DC rules.

The municipal commissioner Rajiv Agarwal in a letter to secretary Urban Development Ministry has stated five reasons because of which the civic authorities were not in position to allot hundred per cent FSI to the traders in Gultekdi. Fire tenders will not reach the destination in case of emergency, lack of ventilation and sanitation for the godowns, difficulties in maintenance of water, drainage and telephone lines. The letter has also stated that the area under roof would not remain same as mentioned in the DC rules if 100 per cent FSI was granted to the traders.

Since 1994 an approximate total of 362 plots have been found to have illegal structures at the front, rear and side margins by the PMC. The plot holders were sent notices to pull down the structures as they had violated the designs in the layout. As per section 478 1 of Bombay Provincial Municipal Corporation BPMC Act the encroachment department had been entrusted to carry out the demolition of illegal structures.

On November 25, 1998, the State Government issued a stay order restricting the PMC from carrying out any sort of demolition activity on these unauthorised structures following which a detailed report was asked to be submitted on these structures on the basis of a demand by the Poona Merchants Chamber.

In their report submitted to the Urban Development Ministry on December 17, Municipal Commissioner Rajiv Agarwal has stated that if the traders8217; demand for allotting hundred per cent FSI is allowed there will be no ventilation for the godowns, further posing a problem for providing sanitation.

Agarwal has also stated that a few corporators have submitted a letter to the PMC on May 29 this year that they will not allow demolition of unauthorised slums in the city unless the civic administration takes action against the unauthorised construction at the Market Yard in Gultekdi.

It may be recalled that demolition of illegal constructions in the godowns of Market Yard had been delayed for several years. Around 800 plots measuring 3,000 sq ft each had been allotted to traders on lease basis in the Market Yard for storage for 99 years from 1973. These traders were given a type design of construction to be followed by the development planning layout sanction.

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According to the office of the City Engineer, these plots ought to have constructed as per the layout of 65 x 20 sq ft that is 1,300 sq ft. An office measuring 267.25 sq ft was also allowed to be constructed. Hence a total of 1,567.25 sq ft, i.e. 52.25 of the allotted 3,000 sq ft was to be constructed upon.

The Agriculture Produce Market Committee has submitted that although 1,300 sq ft of godown was enough 25 years ago, now with 3 or 4-fold increase in the population, demand has increased and so has the required storage space. Hence, some of the traders have constructed temporary sheds which are not illegal as they are constructed on their own plots according to Poona Merchants Chamber President, Rajesh Shah.

He adds that as storing outside the Market Yard is illegal, increase in construction is a must and hence the traders who are allowed to construct on 52.25 of the space want it to be extended to 100 per cent. The unauthorised constructions have been getting notices since 1993, and the Pune Merchants Chamber as well has been demanding an increase in their FSI since then.