PUNE, July 10: In a major move which is likely to evoke a spate of protest from city environmentalists, the State government has recommended that the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) allow residential construction - to the tune of 20 per cent Floor Space Index (FSI) in green belt and hill-top and hill-slope zone in Pune.A directive to the effect, issued by the chief secretary of the Urban Development Department K Nalinakshan, reached the PMC today. The UD dept has thus suggested new amendments to the recently approved Development Control rules for Pune.It may be noted here that on June 5 this year the State government had given clearance to the proposal by the PMC to amend the DC rules for Pune. The State had then approved the PMC's proposal to allow construction activity in green belt, hill top and hill slope zones.However, it had ruled ``The maximum floor space area shall not exceed four per cent of the plot with ground floor structure without stilts''. Also, according to that amendment only the construction of swimming pool, sport and gymnasium, health club, cafeteria, canteen and amusement park was allowed. Now, the State proposes to allow residential construction. The proposed amendment reads, ``The owner shall be allowed to utilise 20 per cent FSI for residential use, as an incentive, subject to condition that trees at the rate of 500 trees per hectare shall be planted''.
