By: Prajakta Chavan Rane
@the_news_21
Navi Mumbai: The massive housing stock of over 10,000 flats and huge commercial space currently under construction spread across Navi Mumbai is affected due to the 55 meters height restriction imposed by the Airport Authority of India (AAI) on construction activity within the vicinity of the proposed Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA).
More than 300 housing and commercial projects across Navi Mumbai spread across Airoli, Ghansoli, Vashi, Nerul, Sanpada, and Koparkhairane are affected due to the 55 meters height restriction imposed by AAI.
With the current height restriction, the developers are able to construct up to 18 floors, but in order to consume the entire Floor Space Index (FSI), the developers need permission up to 40 floors and above.
“We can produce up to 10,000 residential flats inclusive 1, 2, and 3bhk by utilizing entire FSI, but the blanket height restriction is preventing us from producing more housing stock. This is affecting the home buyers, the industry, and developers. We have made several appeals about it to the AAI but there has been no response,” said Manohar Shroff, vice president of Maharashtra Chamber of Housing Industry (MCHI), Navi Mumbai.
“All construction projects need AAI clearance before applying for commencement certificate (CC) at the local body. However, since 2020 the AAI is issuing clearance only up to 50 meters in the purview of Navi Mumbai International Airport. Irrespective of the nodes that we are applying for,” said Soyuz Talib, Architect in Navi Mumbai.
The city builders and developers complain that nodes like Sanpada, Vashi, Ghansoli, Airoli, and Koparkhairane do not even fall in the purview of NMIA. The inability to consume the entire FSI from 2.5 to 5 depending on the adjacent road width is hindering the construction activities, profitability, and above all production of houses and commercial spaces in the city.
“The blanket height restriction of 55 meters imposed by AAI across Navi Mumbai is adversely affecting the city’s realty industry. Besides, there are already some 30storeys skyscrapers constructed on the Palm Beach Road, so why restrictions for new constructions now?” asked Mohan Gurnani, Chairman of Chamber of Associations of Maharashtra Industry and Trade, CAMIT.
When contacted, J B Singh, General Manager (Public Relations) AAI said, “We have nothing to do with Navi Mumbai Airport, any height limitations in the purview of Navi Mumbai Airport are issued by the Maharashtra Government.”
When contacted, the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (CIDCO), Public Relation Officer (PRO) Priya Ratambe said, “AAI issues clearance on the height limitation depending on their respective zones, red, orange and green. However, I will check on this particular issue.”
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