Surat development plan unveiled

Approval of the plan comes after a seven-year delay

After a seven-year delay, the Gujarat government on Friday, finally announced the development plan for Surat. The plan aims at reducing congestion in the city and regulating the fledgling construction industry.

Municipal commissioner, G R Aloria, gave details about the new development plan at a press briefing here on Saturday. It was first proposed by the government way back in 1997.

Explaining the provisions of the plan, Aloria said, "Under the new rules, a clear demarcation has been made of the responsibilities of developers, architects, engineers, structural engineers and all other persons associated with development of any residential or commercial project."

"Changes have also been brought about in the provisions for Common Open Plot (COP). Under For a plot of 200 sq. ft. or more COP will be 10 per cent for residential or commercial purposes, 8 per cent and 5 per cent for industrial purposes, and 20 per cent for other purposes. Ownership of the COP will lie in the hands of the plot holders," Aloria said.

The commissioner further clarified, "The minimum width for lay out roads will have to be 7.5 metres. Road width for various constructions has also been finalised.

"The roads will have to have a width of 18 metres or more for high rise buildings and theatres. For industrial purposes, if roads are over 9 metres wide, construction of only ground floor will be allowed. If the roads are more than 12-metre wide, permission will be granted for ground plus first floor. Permission more floors will be granted only of the roads are wider than 18 metres.

Talking about the Floor Space Index (FSI), Aloria said, "FSI has been finalised at 1.8 for residential and commercial constructions. It is fixed at 1.00 for industrial premises and at 2.25 for star hotels.

The minimum built up area for low-rise complexes has been set at 45 per cent and that for high rise complexes at 30 per cent. The maximum height for any high-rise building has been set at 40 per cent."

"With the city facing regular flooding, the new development plan has put in place provisions for construction of buildings on both river and culvert banks. For construction on river banks with embankments, a minimum distance of 15 metres will have to be maintained. For construction on the banks without embankments, this distance will be 30 metres. In case of culverts, the minimum distance will have to be nine metres," Aloria said.

"These rules will be applicable to all constructions that fall under the limits of Surat Municipal Corporation or Surat Urban Development Authority. We believe this will reduce congestion in Surat and in the next few years, Surat will have development of not only well laid out and well planned, but also safe and legal industrial, residential and commercial complexes," Aloria said.