Indian Express 11.12.2010
Coming, a 0.5 FSI lift for religious structures in city
Civic body proposal covers authorised structures that meet certain conditions
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), which is cracking down on unauthorised religious structures, following a Supreme Court directive, plans to give an additional floor space index (FSI) of 0.5 to authorised ones in the city.
The civic administration is ready with a proposal to hike the FSI from 1 to 1.5. The PMC provides an FSI of 1 for constructions within its jurisdiction.
Authorised temples, mosques, churches and shrines stand to benefit, if certain conditions are met. In its proposal, the civic administration clarifies that additional FSI will be applicable to structures existing on any independent plot.
“Not more than 10 per cent of the built-up area should be used for residential purposes and there will be no commercial use of property,” said Additional Municipal Commissioner, M S Devnikar, in the proposal.
Additional FSI can be allowed on a plot of minimum area of 500 square metres, and the expansion should be in accordance with the development plan. The developer has to pay 25 per cent premium for the additional FSI.
“I have read the proposal but failed to understand reasons for such a move. Any decision can be taken only after knowing the need for it,” said Virendra Kirad, chairman, City Improvement Committee and a Trustee of the Swami Samarth Mandir. “There should be an assurance that the structure built from additional FSI is used for social causes,” he said.
“There is no harm allowing addition FSI for religious structures but it should not be misused. The conditions set for additional FSI for authorised structures is fine but how is the PMC going to monitor its proper use when it has failed to keep a check on unauthorised religious structures that have come up in the city,” said civic activist Vivek Velankar. Additional city engineer Vivek Kharwadkar said the proposal has been tabled as per the directions of the state government.
