'Want transparency in construction'

BMC chief meets CM to propose changes in Development Control Rules to prevent illegal structures, curtail corruption

BMC Commissioner Subodh Kumar held a discussion with Chief Minister Prithiviraj Chavan yesterday to propose changes in the Development Control Rules (DCR), which will not only go a long way in preventing illegal constructions, but also help curtail corruption.

Kumar said, "I am just trying to minimise the loopholes, which are used, and then misused in the city."

He added that the meeting would carry on today as well, and the CM, along with top officials of BMC, MMRDA and the state government's Urban Development Department would decide on what measures can be taken to reduce the misuse of Floor Space Index (FSI) granted to developers.
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A senior official from the building proposals department said, "The rules have several loopholes that allow builders to create FSI out of anything. They ask for concessions and additional FSI for things such as car parks, decks, flower beds, and eventually this extra FSI is misused to create more built up area."

Kumar further informed that the move is to bring in transparency in the system.

Another major suggestion proposed was the scrapping of Section 64 (a) of the DCR, wherein the municipal commissioner has certain discretionary powers to grant concessions and relaxations to developers on case-to-case basis.
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Instances of builders' misuse of the commissioner's sweeping powers to maximise profits include getting smaller parking lots approved and using the extra FSI to increase built up area, securing road offsets and free FSI for open terraces and refuge areas.
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Commissioner Subodh Kumar said, "It is my proposal to stop the use of the discretionary powers."

Today, Kumar will make his final presentation to the CM about the proposed changes and modifications in the DCR so as to reduce the misuse, and increase the revenue for the corporation.