Tendulkars, Bachchans get approval to expand bungalows

Mumbai: After the new CRZ rules were notified in 2019, allowing more construction rights, the Tendulkars—Sachin and Anjali—sought permission to build more space in their bungalow near the Carter Road seaface. It currently has an upper basement (for service and storage), lower basement for car parking, ground plus three floors and a part fourth floor for residential use. The bungalow was approved for construction in 2011 with a floor space index (FSI) of just 1 since it falls under CRZ II. FSI is the ratio of buildable area in relation to the size of the plot.The Tendulkars want to build the entire fourth floor and a full fifth floor in the existing building by paying a premium to the authorities to utilise the extra FSI and transfer of development rights (TDR).“Addition/alteration in the existing bungalow with part 4th and full 5th floor is permitted subject to existing FSI norms and other regulations as on date of publication of CRZ Notification, 2019,” said the MCZMA.Another proposal for additional construction was submitted by actor Jaya Bachchan (through Rajesh Yadav) for additions and alterations to an existing building in Kapol society, Juhu Vile Parle. Plot No B2 (Jalsa) was approved in 1984 with a basement, ground and two upper floors. The new proposal is to build the entire second floor (currently it is only partly built) and an additional floor for residential use. “The plans are proposed by utilising plot potential plus 0.5 government FSI by paying premium and fungible compensatory area and claiming staircase, lift, lift lobby area free of FSI as per DCPR 2034,” it said. The authority cleared the proposal subject to a list of compliances by the BMC and the developer.The third proposal was submitted by builder Kailash Agarwal for his Worli Seaface luxury residential building called Nishika Terraces. The tower currently has 17 floors with a two-level basement and two podiums. The developer has now sought permission to horizontally and vertically expand the building at the rear side by proposing residential flats. The new building will have 18 upper floors. “The architect has proposed to claim 0.84 FSI additional FSI on payment of premium… The plot falls in CRZ II and is situated on the landward side of the existing road,” it said. The BMC has already approved the new building plans.Roopam, the Worli Seaface property of Cyril Shroff, managing partner of the law firm Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, will also be expanded taking advantage of the new rules. Shroff plans to add another floor on the existing ground-plus-three storey building. The proposal also includes another building at the rear of the existing building. “After deliberation, the authority decided to recommend the proposal from the CRZ point of view to the authorities concerned, subject to compliance of conditions,” said the authority.Said architect Manoj Daisaria, “The 2019 CRZ notification, along with the coastal zone management plan of 2021, will allow huge developments near coastal areas in Greater Mumbai, which was restricted all these years. The city’s skyline near coastal areas will completely change.”A CRZ consultant said, “The dilution of the CRZ has allowed more construction on plots falling in CRZ II. The base FSI was earlier restricted to just 1. But now it varies from 2.2 to 4 plus 35% fungible FSI, depending on the road width and the scheme.”Environmental activist D Stalin of Vanashakti, said, “On one hand you have slums where water enters during high tide. On the other hand, we have the affluent who want to increase their footprint on the coastline.”According to him, the need of the hour is to submit to the spirit and purpose of the CRZ notification, not exploit its loopholes to increase the load on the coastline. “We need to move landwards to allow the sea the space it is demanding. CRZ norms are to control construction on the coast but Mumbai builders have enough clout to amend any law that comes in the way of their commercial interests.”