The Indian Express 26.11.2013
DP proposes major development in areas near mass transit corridors
In its draft Development Plan (DP) for 2014-34, the BMC has proposed to encourage maximum development in areas closest to mass transit corridors. This is in stark contrast to its previous DP of 1991, in which it had restricted development on either side
of the transit corridors to ensure accessibility.
As per a preparatory studies report on the DP, BMC plans to "promote transit-oriented development around existing railway stations, proposed Metro stations and important major road intersections."
Transit-oriented development will mean allowing more residential and commercial development to come up along mass transit corridors by granting a higher floor space index (FSI) to maximise access to public transport. An FSI is the ratio of the total floor area of a building at a certain location to the plot area. The population density will be progressively lower in areas spreading outwards, allowing new pockets in the city to grow. The report also hints at deciding the FSI pattern based on the mass transit facilities around a specific area.
The 280-page report, jointly drafted by BMC and Group SCE India, a 100 per cent subsidiary of French consulting firm EGIS Geoplan, was submitted to Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan recently.
Some of the existing railway stations around which transit-oriented development would be promoted have already been identified based on the current importance of train passenger volumes, or proximity to current or emerging employment or commercial centres or if they are hubs with multiple transit interchanges, according to the report.
Some of the first-tier stations identified for transit-oriented development include Churchgate, Dadar, Lower Parel, Bandra, Andheri, Borivali, CST, Kurla, Ghatkopar, Mulund,while second-tier stations include Grant Road, Mumbai Central, Mahalaxmi, Lower Parel, Jogeshwari, Malad Goregaon, Chembur and Nahur, among others.
Metro stations identified for the purpose include Ghatkopar, Saki Naka, Versova, D N Nagar, Chakala, Wadala and Kastur Park.
Apart from major rail and metro stations, the civic body has also identified arterial roads and hubs such as Dadar Circle, Matunga Circle and Sion Circle along the Ambedkar Road for transit-oriented development.
Meanwhile, the state is considering granting an FSI of four for real estate projects that are mushrooming along future Metro corridors, including the Colaba-Bandra-Seepz Metro.
Developers are allowed an FSI of 1.33 in the island city and one in the suburbs, which real estate players and experts say is inadequate to meet the housing requirements of the city.
