MORE HOUSES, BUT NONE LOW-COST

The state had come out with a draft notification for converting any open land or closed industrial units in the MMR into residential in 2016. The draft notification went through a round of suggestions and objections from the public before it was finalised this week

The policy allows for easy conversion of unused industrial plots into residential use with just prior approval of the civic commissioner. Earlier, the rules mandate a state government approval and a notification allowing change of user

This policy was introduced for most urban areas in the state. The final notification was issued on Monday for six civic bodies in MMR and a separate notification was issued for Navi Mumbai civic body In the case of Navi Mumbai, such a development is permissible in any open, closed industrial unit or even existing unit or part of a newly built industrial unit

On plots where industrial unit does not exit, conversion to residential will require a nod from the labour commissioner, saying all dues of workers have been paid.

The draft notification had called for reserving 25% of total floor space index (FSI) for commercial use, while the final notification has brought this down to 20%. FSI often indicates how high a developer can construct the building

The draft notification had also said 20% of the total FSI should be built for residential tenement having built up area of up to 50 square metres. The final notification said that 20% of FSI should be built for residential tenement having built up area between 30 square meters and 50 square meters. But, it also clarified that inclusive housing will not be applicable for such a conversion

For development of land measuring more than 2 hectares, developers have been asked to keep aside 10% of the land for public amenities and utilities

For land up to 0.20 hectares conversion is possible with a special written permission from the civic commissioner. In such a case, the developer provides 10% of land for amenities in the form of open land or 5% of the built-up space in the proposed construction