In a significant move for urban renewal, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has assured that Nashik city will soon receive incentive Floor Space Index (FSI) benefits on par with Thane and Pune. This commitment aims to fast-track the redevelopment of the city's ageing housing stock.
Industry Meeting Sparks Immediate Action
The assurance came during an interactive meeting organized by State Industries Minister Uday Samant with trade and industry bodies in Nashik. Members of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Associations of India (CREDAI) highlighted critical hurdles stalling redevelopment projects. Responding swiftly, Minister Samant called Deputy CM Shinde on the spot to brief him about the issues.
Shinde, who also heads the Urban Development Department, promised that the government would frame a policy to provide additional FSI for redevelopment in Nashik. This policy is intended to facilitate much-needed urban renewal and address the city's ageing infrastructure.
The Crucial Demand for Higher FSI and Height Relaxation
Udag Ghuge, Vice-President of CREDAI Nashik, provided context to the urgent demand. He stated that Nashik has over 6,000 housing societies and apartment buildings lining 9-metre-wide roads. Most of these structures are decades old and require urgent redevelopment.
"The FSI currently permitted for such projects is lower than that in Thane and Pune, making redevelopment financially unviable," Ghuge explained. He emphasized that granting a 50% additional FSI, similar to the provision in Thane, would significantly boost redevelopment, improving housing quality and civic amenities.
Developers also raised other practical challenges. They requested height relaxation for small plots up to 1,500 square metres. Subject to Fire NOC compliance, they sought permission to increase building height from 24 metres to 30 metres along 9-metre-wide roads.
Furthermore, following Pune Municipal Corporation norms, they requested the exclusion of 6 metres of podium or parking height from the overall building height calculation. Ghuge asserted that these changes would ease design constraints and accelerate project approvals.
Path Forward for Modernising Nashik
Despite the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR) being applicable in Nashik, certain provisions are not implemented locally, creating hurdles. Stakeholders believe that timely government intervention is key to modernising the city's infrastructure and meeting rising housing demands.
Deputy CM Shinde has assured that he will soon convene a dedicated meeting with CREDAI members to resolve all pending issues, with the central focus being higher FSI for Nashik's redevelopment projects. This move is seen as a vital step towards transforming the city's urban landscape.
