Date:13/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/13/stories/2008071357820100.htm

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Scrap higher FSI for IT buildings: panel

A. Srivathsan

It cites poor infrastructure facilities within Chennai city as reason

CHENNAI: An expert committee appointed by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) to review proposed building norms has recommended that the higher floor space index (FSI) extended to IT buildings be done away with because of the poor infrastructure facilities within the city.

FSI is the ratio that determines the maximum extent that can be built on a given plot. At present, dedicated IT buildings can build 1.5 times over and above what is permissible for other buildings.

The committee has also recommended that higher FSI for buildings along the MRTS corridor be discontinued.

The committee, after studying objections and suggestions made during public consultations on the second draft master plan, has not recommended any major changes to FSI.

The maximum permissible FSI for ordinary buildings is 1.5, and 2.5 for multi-storied buildings.

It has recommended that construction of multi-storied buildings be allowed on 12-metre and 15-metre wide roads, but limited the FSI to 1.5 and 1.75. No change has been proposed to the maximum permissible height in Chennai, which continues to be 60 metres. The second draft master plan was made public in April 2007. Suggestions made by experts were cleared in November 2007, and the plan was submitted to the government for final approval.

The Cabinet sub-committee on the second master plan for the Chennai Metropolitan Area on July 8 discussed an increase in the floor space index and relaxing height restrictions.

It will meet again on July 21 with a set of “workable proposals” before submitting them to the Cabinet.