When constructing new buildings in Chennai metropolis, buildings up to 1.5 times the area of the plot were allowed. It was doubled in 2019. Also, for high-rise apartment blocks, a floor area index of up to 3.5 times the width of the road where the plot is located is allowed.
But Chennai and Thiruvallur Chengalpattu districts have additional restrictions on buildings in coastal areas. In these areas, building regulations should be laid down subject to coastal regulatory zoning rules.
Also, in 1980, constructions were banned in Thiruvanmiyur, Kottivakkam, Palavakkam, Neelangarai, Okkyam, Duraippakkam, Enghampakkam, Karapakkam, Cholinganallur in Chennai.
This ban was lifted in 2007 and new building regulations came into effect in 2008. According to this, buildings are allowed up to 0.8 times the area of the plot.
At present, a consultant has been appointed to investigate the possibility of raising the plot index for new buildings being constructed in coastal areas in Chennai, Thiruvallur and Chengalpattu districts.
An official of CMDA further said:
As of now there is a possibility to increase the floor space index up to 1.5 or even two times depending on certain conditions. Technical information is being gathered to confirm this. Soon there will be a good announcement regarding this.
This is what he said.
Expectations of the construction industry
There is an expectation that the land area index should be increased up to 1.2 times in the coastal areas. In this regard, the executives of the Indian Association of Builders said: Urban development has increased in the areas adjacent to East Coast Road and Old Mamallapuram Road. In the coastal areas, the land area index of 0.8 times is not consistent with the times. Considering the needs of the people and the development in the respective areas, the government should come forward to increase this to at least 1.2 times. In this regard, we have sent a petition to the Minister of Housing and the Chief Minister.