Date:07/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/07/stories/2009010755780100.htm

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Premium FSI proposal returned for review

A. Srivathsan

CMDA had recommended it only in suburbs
Government wants to know if it can be allowed in city too

CHENNAI: The Government of Tamil Nadu has returned the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority ‘s (CMDA) recommendation on premium Floor Space Index (FSI) for reconsideration.

The CMDA had earlier recommended that the premium FSI should not be made available to buildings and plots within the Chennai city, but issued only to the existing and proposed buildings in the suburbs.

The CMDA’s expert view is that the city is already congested with 247 persons per hectare, as per 2001 figures, and cannot be burdened further. On the other hand, the suburbs with a low density of 66 persons per hectare can take additional built-up area subject to the availability of infrastructure.

Government sources say that this recommendation has been returned to the CMDA for review and find out if premium FSI can be allowed in the city as well. The charges to be paid for availing premium FSI has not yet been decided.

The FSI determines the maximum permissible built-up area on a plot and it is a ratio between the total built-up area and the plot area. In Chennai, the permissible FSI is 1.5 for ordinary buildings and 2.5 for multistoried buildings. Premium FSI allows for additional built-up area over and above what is permitted by the development regulations for a fee. The second master plan permits a premium FSI of 0.5 for special buildings and 1.0 for multi-storied buildings.