The delay in adopting the Second Master Plan for Chennai Metropolitan Area, 2026, has raised widespread concern among the public on the final form it is likely to take.

The second master plan, which is to present a macro view and guideline for the development of the city, has been in the making for more than a decade. The previous master plan was in place between 1976 and 1996. The draft of the second master plan, which was envisaged in 1995, was made public in April 2007 and followed up with extensive debate, with suggestions and inputs from a wide cross-section of society. The draft was revised in November last year and presented to the Government for approval. However, the Government is yet to formally adopt the master plan.

Reports indicate that more changes to the draft are envisaged.

Of particular concern has been the issue of permitting a larger built-up area in a given area of land, that is, a bigger Floor Space Index (FSI). This represents the quotient obtained by dividing the total covered area on all floors (apart from areas exempted under the regulations) by the plot area.

This has met with a mixed response, with a section of the builders seeing it as a necessity to create more built-up space to meet the demand while others see it as a problem that would aggravate the overcrowding in a city where the basic infrastructure is seen as inadequate.

But all agree that further delay in adopting the master plan would be detrimental to development. Chennai cannot continue to develop with rules framed in the 1970s; it needs guidelines that suit present-day needs.

According to Mr M. K. Sundaram, Chairman, Builders Association of India - Southern Centre, the builders have not sought a hike from the prevailing 1.5 FSI for ordinary buildings and 2.5 FSI for multi-storeyed buildings. What they have asked for is permission for vertical growth within the permitted FSI. This would allow for greater open space. It is only on the outskirts of the city that the builders want a greater FSI with the Government providing the required infrastructure for transport and amenities. This would help to decongest the city.

Builders’ representatives agreed that the draft of the second master plan that was created with inputs from a wide segment of experts and public representatives should not be altered at this stage.

Voicing similar concerns, the Citizens Alliance for Sustainable Living (SUSTAIN) has represented to the Government that it should not alter the revised draft Second Master Plan for Chennai Metropolitan Area. It has expressed concern over the possible increase in FSI and building height being contemplated by the authorities.

SUSTAIN has noted that the prevailing FSI ranges from 1.5 for ordinary buildings, 2.5 for special buildings to 3.75 for IT buildings. Any increase would affect the quality of life in the City where water, sewerage, roads and traffic, power supply and healthcare are stretched to the limits. The expert committee constituted by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), after studying the discussions on the draft master plan, had decided against recommending any major changes to the FSI.

Increase in FSI and building height would not help to bring down land cost and selling prices of built-up space, according to SUSTAIN.

The general public, stakeholders, experts, specialist institutions, NGOs and officials have contributed to the revised draft submitted to the Government for approval. Any alteration to the draft would not be in the interest of the City and the public.

Reponses to blproperty@thehindu.co.in

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