Boost for Delhi Real Estate: Govt approves more FAR and ground coverage

NEW DELHI: Urban Development Ministry has approved to enhance Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and Ground Coverage in Delhi.

The Floor Area Ratio with respect to the plot sizes of 750-1000 sq mt has been increased from the present 150 per cent to 200 per cent while for the plots of 1000 sq mt and above, FAR has gone up from 120 per cent to 200 per cent, a senior Urban Development ministry official confirmed.

The minister for Urban Development Venkaiah Naidu on Monday approved the proposal of Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in this regard, the official said. 

While maintaining the Ground Coverage for plot sizes ranging from 750-1000 sq mt at 50 per cent, the same has been enhanced from 40 per cent to 50 per cent for ground of 1000 sq mt and above. 

Earlier, DDA has proposed an amendment to this effect to its Master Plan Delhi-2021 and firmed up the same after inviting objections and suggestions from the public.

Reacting to the current enhancement of FAR in Delhi, Anuj Puri, Chairman & Country Head, JLL India, said, “Providing higher FAR is a good move, which will make the apartments bigger. With no change in density norms, ticket-sizes may rise as well.”

He said, though no clarity has been given on an increase in the dwelling units allowed on the larger plots, there is a provision in the draft Delhi Master Plan 2021 which allows for an increase in the number of dwelling units.

Puri, however, cautioned that the provision should be used judiciously with the increased FAR to increase the housing stocks. Only then we will see reduction in housing prices.

With height restrictions for individual residential plots not being increased from the current 17.5 meters along with stilt parking provisions, developments are likely to remain of same height, he said.

Predicting that the increased FAR will have a positive impact on group housing plots, Puri said, the ground coverage that was previously 33.3% will now be 50% for such societies. This will allow for bigger apartments to be built, though FAR here is already 200 under the master plan. No height restrictions were applicable for group housing plots, and hence there is no issue for such developments with regards to height provisions.