The Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) has not received a single proposal after the amendment in the Development Control (DC) rules. However, before the new DC rules came into force, on an average 10 to 15 proposals were submitted to the SRA for approval.
According to senior SRA officials, developers and their architects are taking time to understand jargons like fungible floor space index in the DC rules. “It will take couple of more months to get a clear idea about amended DC rules. Then only the architects will be able to design the housing plans and subsequently submit them. Presently, we are sitting idle and clearing old files,” he said, requesting anonymity. DNA has reported on February 23 that the BMC has not approved a single proposal after the implementation of new DC rules.
In one SRA proposal, developers construct around 200 to 300 houses. As per the new DC rules, the SRA will not be liberal as it used to be. “There will be strict control over all irregularities resulting in decrease of profits for the developers. So, undertaking a SRA project will no more be a lucrative affair for developers,” said a real estate expert, adding that because of enormous amount of profit, the developers were tempted to convert the 33 (7)—cess building redevelopment proposals into 33(10)—slum rehabilitation.
“Now, no conversion of one scheme to another will happen. All developers and schemes will be treated with one parameter. So, in future, the SRA will not receive many proposals,” he added.
SS Zende, the chief executive officer of the SRA, confirmed that there is no proposal in the last two months. “It will take time to understand a new law. Once it is understood, the proposals will start pouring in. We have sent back 10 earlier proposals, which were given the letter of intent. Now, they have to prepare the architectural plan as per the new DC rules,” he ensured.
Another SRA official criticised the new DC rules, saying it is like going back to 1960. “We will not be able to see the good and elevated feature buildings in city,” he said.
