Sucheta Dalal :New rules spur redevelopment projects for cessed buildings
Sucheta Dalal

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New rules spur redevelopment projects for cessed buildings  

October 8, 2009

 

The Maharashtra government’s efforts to give a boost to redevelopment in Mumbai by increasing the floor space index (FSI) up to 4, has started showing results. While developers like Rustomjee and Neptune plan more redevelopment projects, developers like the Marathon Group do not deny the possibility of venturing into one.
 
Ashok Chavan, chief minister, Maharashtra, had announced an increase in the FSI for redevelopment projects in February 2009. Cessed buildings, which are those built before 1960, will be allowed an FSI of 4 under cluster development of more than one acre plots.
 
“We are already into some of the largest redevelopment projects in Mumbai. We are also working on two more redevelopment projects in the city, but it is in the initial stages,” said Boman Irani, chairman and managing director, Rustomjee Group. Mr Irani refused to divulge any further details on the new projects.
 
Similarly, Neptune Group, a Mumbai-based developer, also plans redevelopment projects. Neptune has earlier worked on redevelopment projects for plot areas like that of factories and industries. Given the increased FSI for cluster development of cessed buildings, the group is keen on this arena. “We will plan redevelopment projects in Mumbai after six months,” said Nayan Bheda, chairman and managing director, Neptune Group.
 
Developers like the Marathon Group too are open to this new option. “Marathon Group is open to look at the possibility of such constructions but there are no immediate plans. However, our core business will remain redevelopment of open plots of land, be it industrial or textile mills closing down or shifting out of Mumbai,” said Chetan Shah, vice chairman, Marathon Realty Pvt. Ltd.
 
Most developers are looking at the FSI increase as a welcome change. Mr Shah further explains how the FSI increase will in turn help redevelopment and benefit developers. “The scheme for reconstruction of dilapidated buildings provides for existing area being reconstructed and to cover the cost of such construction, an incentive construction area for sale in the form of 50% of such reconstruction area is given to the owner/developer/society. The total area thus becomes very high for smaller plots of land and when this total construction area is divided by the available land area it becomes higher than the maximum FSI (earlier 2.5 or 3) permitted on the plot. In such a scenario, these plots become undevelopable, which is the case with most of the buildings in the city’s congested areas where already four-storied buildings without much open land area exist. So, increase of FSI to 4 is a welcome change for such buildings. Such high density will invariably result in newer developments being vertical and high-rise buildings.”
 
“What is good for the people is good for the industry. This additional FSI will only make for the development of infrastructure and that will benefit the residents of the city and will open up a lot more green spaces. By this the developers will get a better opportunity to do a better job and eventually keep a healthy profit line,” added Mr Irani.
 
Old areas like, Bhendi Bazar, Masjid, Kalbadevi and Bhuleshwar in Mumbai where dense development already exists are most likely to benefit by these projects. Given that the availability of open space in the main city of Mumbai is scarce, redevelopment projects would provide developers with more opportunities. –Amritha Pillay ([email protected])

-- Sucheta Dalal