Photo for representation
Pune: Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) has received hundreds of suggestions and objections from citizens on the draft building bylaws proposed by the Ministry of Defence, with a majority demanding a uniform floor space index (FSI) of 2 and greater clarity on the criteria for determining permissible construction. Citizens, activists and former board members have questioned the ministry’s decision to introduce four different FSI slabs instead of extending a uniform FSI of 2 to all properties. Most of the objections revolve around the lack of clarity in the proposed FSI structure and the demand for a uniform FSI of 2, according to board officials. The draft has categorised permissible FSI into four slabs — 1.25, 1.5, 1.75 and 2 — instead of extending the maximum permissible FSI to all properties in the civilian areas.
PCB chief executive officer Vidyadhar Pawar said, “The response to the draft bylaws is overwhelming and we are going to discuss each of the suggestions and objections in the board meeting as per the procedure. Officials said several residents were uncertain about the FSI they would be entitled to and the criteria that would determine their eligibility for the maximum permissible limit. They fear they may not get the full FSI,” an official said.
Thereafter, we will submit them to the competent authority, which will forward the proposal to the ministry for approval. “Most of the suggestions are against the ministry’s decision to propose four types of FSI. Many residents do not know how much FSI they would get and what the criteria are for securing the maximum permissible limit.
They want a straight 2 FSI without any conditions. Therefore, the authorities concerned should give importance to their demand,” he said. Therefore, the draft bylaws will not allow property owners to undertake large-scale construction.
Nominated member Sachin Mathurawala said the revision of FSI had been a long-pending demand of residents, who expected the new regulations to provide a straightforward solution to their redevelopment concerns. Former PCB vice-president Vinod Mathurawala said the regulations should be framed keeping residents’ concerns in mind. “There should be clarity on how the permissible FSI will be determined and why different limits are being proposed for properties within the same civilian area,” he said. That is what the preliminary intention of the ministry appears to be,” a senior DGDE official said.
“The revision of FSI is a long-pending demand and people have been asking for it for years. This is their natural demand and reaction. “The FSI will be less for larger land plots. It is a way to control the vertical growth of the Camp area.