State's cluster plan for reconstruction

Aneesh Phadnis / TNN / Sep 8, 2006, 03:13 IST

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The state is exploring alternative ways to undertake the reconstruction of over 19,000 old cessed properties in Mumbai.

MUMBAI: The state is exploring alternative ways to undertake the reconstruction of over 19,000 old cessed properties in the island city.
Presently, reconstruction of cessed buildings is being carried out on a piecemeal basis. Now, the state wants to frame a policy which would enable the redevelopment of a cluster of buildings in an area while improving its civic amenities.
Cessed buildings are those which were constructed prior to 1960.The government collects cess from the tenants for maintenance and repair of the building.
Recently, the state commissioned the All India Institute of Local Self Government (AIILSG) to undertake a pilot project on the cluster model of redevelopment.

The study was meant to examine amendments were required to existing laws, and suggest incentives to developers and property owners to make the redevelopment model viable.
Different FSIs are given for redevelopment of cessed and non-cessed buildings and the project will examine whether a uniform policy could be introduced in this regard.
Four areas—Girgaum, Bora Bazaar, Null Bazaar and Dadar Parsee colony—have been selected for the pilot project, revealed A K Jain of AIILSG.

The government's attempt to look for alternate ways of developing old buildings may have been prompted by last year's high court ruling which had criticised the state's incentive FSI policies for reconstruction of cessed buildings without regard to civic amenities and population density in a locality.
Maharashtra Area and Housing Development Authority CEO I S Chahal said a master plan of civic amenities in a locality will be prepared when the redevelopment plan is introduced.
"We wanted an independent agency to formulate the plans. The AIILSG will submit its report to the government in four months," he said.

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