Govt wants Mum devpt model in smaller towns

Mumbai: With families hunting for their dream homes in smaller towns in Mumbai's periphery owing to soaring realty prices and paucity of space here, the state government has decided to amend norms to ensure "planned" development of these new pockets.      The government plans to apply building byelaws applicable in Mumbai and other municipal corporations to towns categorized as A, B, C municipal councils.      A government-appointed panel of town planning experts has recommended extension of floor space index (FSI), transfer of development rights (TDR), free-of-FSI, and fungible FSI norms, which are currently applicable to only municipal corporations, to municipal councils.      The state urban development department has accepted the report, and has submitted a proposal for approval to CM Prithviraj Chavan. Like in Mumbai, a no-objection certificate from the fire department would be necessary for highrises. Higher FSI has been recommended for the construction of schools and hospitals.