Noida Authority Enhances Industrial and Township Development with Increased FAR
9/2/2024 1:15:00 PM
The Noida Authority has proposed
amendments to the building by-laws, aiming to
increase the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) for various
plot categories, including institutional,
industrial,
mixed land-use, and integrated township
projects, officials said on Sunday.
The changes, part of the Noida Master Plan-
2031, are expected to boost revenue and
accommodate the growing urban population
by allowing for vertical growth across the city.
If approved, the amendments will enable plot
owners and realtors to build more floors,
creating additional built-up space to meet
urban development demands.
“The proposed changes in building by-laws,
which were initiated long back, will increase
population density and impact aspects such as
traffic and infrastructure. The final decision will
depend on public support,” said Lokesh M, CEO
of the Noida Authority.
The authority is seeking objections and
suggestions from the public regarding the
amendments, with feedback open for the next
15 days. Lokesh M said that if most people
oppose the
changes, the decision will be reconsidered.
“We will share citizens’ feedback with the state
government, which will make the final call,” he
added.
The floor area ratio (FAR) means the
proportion obtained by dividing the total
covered area (plinth area) on all floors by the
area of the plot.
The FAR of a plot dictates how many floors an
owner can add (vertical expansion) and how
much of the plot area can be covered with
construction (horizontal expansion). The
amendments propose significant changes,
including increasing the FAR for plots
designated for residential, industrial, and
commercial use.
For industrial plots of 25 acres or more, mixed-
use will be permitted, with industrial activity
remaining the core function at a minimum of
75% of the permissible FAR.
The amendments also allow for 12% of the
permissible FAR for dormitory (group housing)
and field hostels, 8% for commercial use, and
5% for facility purposes—changes that were
previously prohibited.
Earlier housing facilities and commercial
services were not allowed, said officials. In
new industrial sectors along the Noida-Greater
Noida Expressway, including sectors 145, 156,
157, 158, 159, 162, and 166, the FAR will
increase from 2.5 to 3.5, officials said.
In existing industrial sectors, the amendments
propose an additional purchasable FAR of 1,
increasing the total allowable FAR to 2.5,
compared to the previous 1.5 FAR, they added.
The increase in FAR allows plot owners to add
more floors and set up additional industrial
units, unlike previous regulations which limited
a single plot to one industrial unit.
For instance, under the new by-laws, a plot of
1,800 square meters (sqm) or more, located on
a road at least 24 meters wide, could have a
FAR of up to 3.5, enabling the construction
of six floors covering 3,500 square feet. The
Master Plan 2031 allocates 2,806 hectares for
industrial development, though only 1,500
hectares have been developed so far.
Noida’s current land use includes 18.37% for
industrial areas, 37.45 hectares for residential,
and 15.92 hectares for recreational (green)
spaces, with the remainder designated for
commercial, institutional, water bodies, and
agricultural activities.
Stakeholders expect these changes to
significantly alter Noida’s skyline, particularly
along the Noida Expressway. “The proposed
changes enabling industrial units to go vertical
will
positively impact future business growth and
fuel the economy,” said Vipin Malhan, president
of the Noida Entrepreneur Association (NEA).
However, some experts have raised concerns
about the impact on infrastructure.
“The proposed changes in building By-laws
2010 to increase FAR means increase in
population density, a move that will over
burden infrastructure including roads, sewer
networks
and the drainage system, among others. If we
do not make adequate provisions to
accommodate the vehicular pressure, chaotic
situations will be seen on Noida roads as road
design
has not been changed. Also, an increase in FAR
will require more housing facilities for
industrial workers that we have not done.
Without adequate provisions, traffic and other
urban
issues could worsen. The authority must
address these challenges before implementing
changes,” said Atul Gupta, president of
Architects’ Association of Noida Zone.
According to officials, earlier housing facilities
and commercial services were not allowed in
accordance to the previous Master Plans. The
authority had in May, 2020 proposed to
amend the building by-laws-2010 following the
directions from the Uttar Pradesh chief
minister Yogi Adityanath government that
wanted to bring changes to create more space
in the
city to cater to the growing urban demands.
Source : Hindustan Time
INDIA
