Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) General Body meeting approved 4 Floor Space Index (FSI) along the High Capacity Mass Transit Route (HCMTR) to raise money for the project. The civic administration proposal was passed at the General Body meeting on Thursday. 

Opposition parties raised the question of feasibility of utilisation of FSI and additional burden on the city infrastructure. 

To reduce congestion and ensure faster travel, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) planned elevated HCMTR with speed of 50 kmph along with Central Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) of 37 km inner ring road. 

According to financial consultants, the PMC requires  Rs 6,646 crore to complete the project. To raise money for the project, the PMC came up with premium FSI concept under Transit Oriented Development (TOD) policy.
  
TOD relates to metro railway and BRTS. It integrates land use and transport planning to develop compact growth centres with the influence zone of 500 to 800 metres on either side of transit stations or routes.
 
While explaining benefit of 4 FSI, Municipal Commissioner  Saurabh Rao said, “We checked other options to raise funds for the project. However, we found 4 FSI option is more feasible than others. We can raise around Rs 4,000 crore from 4 FSI which will be used for the project and for improving basic infrastructure in the city. We will also get revenue after completing the HCMTR project by allowing private parties to put up advertisements on this route. The route will be changed if necessary.”

Senior Congress corporator Avinash Bagwe said, “The BJP and civic administration tabled the proposal in a hurry without giving any details of the project. The route has been realigned for benefit of some builders  and political leaders.”

Dilip Barate, NCP leader in the PMC House said, “The administration is in a hurry to approve ambitious projects without stating the consequence of the project on the city. They should make presentation to corporators about the project and clear their doubts.”