The Times of India          15.10.2013

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation seeks FSI of 4 to revamp staff quarters

MUMBAI: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will write to the state government asking for a floor space index (FSI) of 4 for the redevelopment of dilapidated conservancy staff quarters.

There are over 100 staff quarters housing more than 6,500 people. Almost all of them have outlived their life span and need to be reconstructed.

The BMC plans to redevelop 39 such dilapidated buildings in the first phase of the 'Ashray Yojana' project. Of the 39, the BMC has approved six building plans, tenders for which will be called soon. The six buildings are located in the island city. Civic officials say that once the buildings are redeveloped, the employees will get an area of 300 sq ft. Currently they are living in a 100-sq ft house.

"We will go ahead with the construction keeping in mind an FSI of 4, but will only build what is permissible, according to the current rule. Once the government gives a go ahead, we will consume the balance FSI," said additional municipal commissioner, Mohan Adtani.

The BMC has been facing a tough time vacating these dilapidated building against the wishes of the occupants.

Another problem is that the civic body doesn't have enough transit camps to accommodate these residents.

BMC officials say that they will first start constructing transit camps near these six buildings, which will be taken up for redevelopment.

Once the new buildings are ready, they can be used to accommodate people from other buildings which will be redeveloped subsequently. BMC has over 18,000 conservancy staff of which only 6,600 live in quarters. The redevelopment will be able to create more homes to accommodate the remaining staff.

Initially BMC wanted to develop these buildings through public-private partnership, but the plan didn't materialize. Now it wants to execute the plan on its own.