Review Of FSI/FAR Norms

Review of FSI/FAR norms

The government has ordered the review of Floor Space Index (FSI) and Floor Area Ratio (FAR) norms in mega cities of the country.
The time bound review of these norms will be taken up in all the 53 cities with a population of one million and above each.
A similar review for State Capitals with less than million population will also be taken up each in due course.
The review to be taken up in consultation with States and cities is to cover an assessment of the existing norms and to what extent it could be enhanced.

FSI is the ratio of a building’s total floor area to the size of the piece of the land on which it is built.
In Indian cities, it is generally about 1.50, which is said to be on the lower side given the needs of rapid urbanization.

NITI Ayog in their report noted that a comparison of Mumbai and Shanghai illustrates the deleterious effects of restrictive FSI. In 1984, Shanghai had only 3.65 sq.mt of space per person.
Through liberal use of FSI, despite increase in population since 1984, the city had increased the available space to 34 sq.mt per person. In contrast, in 2009, Mumbai on average had just 4.50 sq.mt of space per person.
Besides, increasing the availability of land in urban areas is critical to meet the demand for affordable housing under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban).
Review is necessary to give a properly planned push to the urban development in the country.

Source:PIB