Raising the floor space index (FSI) by up to 30% across Ahmedabad to create more affordable housing units will be the thrust of the new development plan (DP) likely to be announced on 1st February. The plan, which covers 1,772 sq km covering 68 villages, is expected to raise the FSI from the existing 1.2 in R-2 zones — construction of 1,200 sq yards on a plot of 1,000 sq yards — to 1.8, thus paving way for vertical growth on outskirts.

The proposed changes in DP are expected to bring about simultaneous alternation s in the General Development Control Regulations (GDCR) aimed at bringing transparency and standardization, so as to ensure minimum flexibility in interpretation. Zoning of the 68 villages will earmark land clearly for roads, residential areas, industrial and agricultural zones.

The Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (Auda) is likely to propose around 2.5 FSI to allow 70 metre tall (about 22 storey) buildings in the R-1 zone. The existing FSI is 1.8. In addition, developers are allowed to purchase 0.45 FSI at a premium. The present FSI of 1.8 allows 12-storeyed buildings which are 40 m tall are allowed here.

The state government is also planning to raise FSI along the BRTS and Metro rail corridors as well as the 132 ft ring road. This FSI will be transferable, which means it can be sold or leased to an adjacent plot owner.

The focus is to avoid lop-sided and horizontal growth of the city and boost high-rise development within the Sardar Patel Ring Road, which is the boundary of AMC. The affordable housing pockets are likely to come up mostly in eastern Ahmedabad.

However, the biggest beneficiaries of the proposed move will be land owners along the western flank of SG Road, starting from Sanathal to Vaishno Devi temple, where land prices are the highest. According to realtors, the proposed DP will help reduce construction cost and make houses cheaper by 15-20%.

Source: The Times of India, Ahmedabad