Pune: The State Government will soon finalise TOD (Transit Oriented Development) policy for the Metro corridors. The government has rejected the demand of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to grant four Floor Space Index (FSI) in the linear direction of Metro corridor under the TOD policy for the Metro rail project in the city. The municipal commissioner has admitted that the state is in the favour of linear direction of FSI in the TOD.
In August last year, the PMC had suggested to the State government not to grant four FSI randomly 500 metres on both sides along metro rail corridors in the linear direction under the TOD policy for the metro rail project. The Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) main concern is that FSI all along the corridor would put a strain on the civic infrastructure in these areas and they do not have enough funds to build infrastructure.
Floor Space Index (FSI) is the ratio of built-up area to the carpet area of a plot. It says how much construction can be done on a plot. It is an important numeric value. TOD tends to most dense, neo-traditional development pattern within 500 metres or so of a metro station. It integrates land use and transport planning to develop compact growth centres within the influence zone of 500-800 metres on either side of the transit stations in the influence zone.
While speaking to media, Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao said, ”Recently, Nitin Kareer, Principal Secretary of State Urban Development Department visited PMC and discussed TOD policy with civic body members. During the meeting, he informed that the TOD policy is almost finalised and it will be provided additional FSI along Metro corridor instead of restricted to 500 metres of Metro station. In coming few days, the policy will be sanctioned by the chief minister,” he said.
One of the senior officials of Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) Building Permission Department said, “Now, it has almost cleared that there will be additional FSI along the Metro corridor which will help to increase population along the corridor. Right now, there are two corridors in the city- Vanaz to Ramwadi (14.66 km) and PCMC to Swargate (11.57 km). There is another PMRDA metro corridor added in the city - Hinjawadi to Hadapsar (more than 30 km). Other than that there are demands of local corporators to expand routes from Vanaz to Bavdhan, Ramwadi to Airport, Ramwadi to Wagholi, Swargate to Katraj and Swargate to Warje. If all extension routes approved, it will cover the entire city. Hence, we have to spend huge money to develop infrastructure.”
Speaking on the issue, one of the top-level officials of MahaMetro, said, “Nagpur city has TOD policy of four FSI along Metro corridor. Every city has a different situation. However, there is the worldwide policy of giving additional FSI along corridors and not within the periphery of 500 metres of Metro station. It is true that there would be pressure on basic infrastructure. However, the civic body will get revenue from premium FSI and they can use it on infrastructure.”
