Pune bodies oppose higher FSI suggestions

A recommendation of higher FSI on hill tops and slopes has united all the social institutions in the city to plan a joint protest against the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).

Under the banner of "Save hills, save Pune" campaign, all such institutions will soon be staging protest against the recommendation by the planning committee of the civic body. The institutions have alleged that the recommendations have been made to please builders.

The planning committee, in its development plan, has recommended a FSI of four on hill slopes and hill tops and a complete scrapping of the bio-diversity park. The committee has further recommended that farmhouses and educational institutions should be permitted an FSI of 4. The FSI would then rise by 25-30 per cent if areas required for roads and other facilities is taken into account.

Social and environment activists from Vanarai, Tekadi, Gomukh, Parisar, All India Consumers Forum, Nagrik Chetana Manch, National Society for Clean Cities, All India Human Rights and Citizens' Forum have registered strong protest against the recommendations.

The officials and representatives of some of these organisations said that they would do anything in the interest of the city. According to Mohan Dhariya, chairman, Vanarai, "We should take strong steps to prevent Pune from becoming a concrete jungle. To provide healthy life and environment to the new generation, we must unite against such moves."

"We have studied the new development plan (DP) and found many objectionable clauses.The recommendations are clearly made in favour of builders and we are going to protest in a general body meeting of PMC," said Vandana Chavan, former mayor of the city.

Meanwhile, political parties such as the Congress, Shiv Sena and some corporators from Nationalist Congress Party have also joined the issue against PMC.

These parties have drawn out an independent development plan for the villages to be included in Pune municipality soon.

The DP has been named Harit Vikas Arakhada (The Green Development Plan) which includes recommendations such as no permission for construction on hill side, keeping some part of hill top for bio-diversity park, developing greenery on river banks, to scrap the reservation for Mhada and to allow only 33 per cent construction or FSI in areas of water scarcity.