Developers seek clarification from CMDA on FSI rules along metro corridor | Chennai News
Chennai: Developers have asked the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) to clarify whether projects with only part of their land within 500m of a metro corridor are eligible for concessional Premium Floor Space Index (FSI) charges under the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) policy. They say the uncertainty is delaying approvals and holding up projects.Credai Chennai has written to CMDA seeking a clarification. “If the 500-metre mark touches the proposed project site, it should be eligible for the concession. There is no need for the full site to be covered,” said S Sridharan, executive committee member, Credai National.Under a govt order issued in Aug 2022, projects located within 500m of existing, under-construction and proposed metro rail corridors are eligible to pay Premium FSI charges at 50% of the applicable rate. The policy was introduced to encourage higher-density development along mass transit corridors and promote greater use of public transport.However, in many large projects, only a part of the project site ends up falling within the 500-metre influence zone. “Authorities are extending the concession only to that portion of the land. In some cases, the benefit is denied altogether if the project’s road frontage or access falls outside the 500-metre limit,” said a developer.The developers’ body has said these varying interpretations have led to repeated queries, delays in approvals and uncertainty for residential, commercial and mixed-use developments proposed along metro corridors.“We have requested CMDA to clarify the matter. We have also asked that the concession not be denied solely because the site’s road frontage or access lies outside the 500-metre limit,” said the developer.The association has further requested that the clarification apply to pending, future and revised planning applications where final orders have not been issued. Credai says a uniform interpretation of the TOD regulations will reduce delays in project approvals and help achieve the policy’s objective of promoting development along metro corridors.
