Patna, Sept. 13: The proposed master plan for Patna Metropolitan Region (PMR) would ensure planned growth through development control regulations (DCR), 2031.

The proposed DCR would ensure that construction activities in different areas are according to the size of the plot, width of road and prescribed zoning regulations.

The plan provides for making roads in PMR of five different widths — 60m, 45m, 30m, 24m and 15m. The development permitted along each of these roads would depend on the floor space index (FSI) assigned to the different plot sizes in different zones. FSI is also known as floor area ratio. FSI for a project can be obtained by dividing total carpet area of all flats in the project by the land area of the project.

The proposed plan classifies residential zones into high- (R1), medium- (R2) and low-density (R3) areas. The proposed DCR states that for a plot measuring 1,001-2,000sqm along a 60m wide road in R1 zone, the maximum permissible FSI would be 2.5, which means that one can utilise up to 2,502.5 to 5,000sqm of built-up area with provisions for setback area and open spaces. For similar sized plots on roads having width of 45-60m, the maximum FSI would be 2.25. Further the FSI is reduced according to reduction in width of roads to a minimum of 1.25 FSI on 15-24m wide roads.

Similarly, for plots measuring 2,000sqm and above along a 60m-wide road in R1 zone, the maximum permissible FSI would be 3. The same plot would be allowed the maximum FSI of 2.75 on 45-60m wide roads, 2.25 on 30-45m-wide roads, 2 on 24-30m wide roads and 1.5 on 15-24m wide roads.

Similar regulations have been prescribed for construction activities in R2 and R3 zones respectively for construction on two different plot sizes — 1,000-2,000sqm and above 200sqm, along five different road sizes — 60m, 45m, 30m, 24m and 15m.

Moreover, the base FSI for R1 zone has been fixed at 1.25, R2 zones at 1 and R3 zones at 0.6. Any additional FSI above base FSI within respective zones would have to be purchased as premium FSI by the developer. Also, the maximum FSI allowed in plotted housing schemes has been fixed at 1.5 irrespective of the plot size and width of the road. The maximum FSI allowed in the group housing schemes will be 3.

Builders welcomed the regulations. “Many of the regulations prescribed by the proposed DCR are essential for the planned growth of the city. I believe the state government is positive in giving a facelift to Patna,” said Nanhey Kumar, chairman of the urban development sub-committee of Bihar Chamber of Commerce.