India's tallest residential building -- the Palais Royale in Mumbai -- has suffered a new setback. Amidst the ongoing controversy that developers had allegedly violated Floor Space Index (FSI) norms by illegally constructing 13 upper floors as well as 15-storey public parking lot without permission, the Bombay High Court has ruled that these constructions were 'completely illegal'.
According to a report in The Times of India, a division bench of Justices Abhay Oka and CV Bhadang said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner will have to take a final decision regarding the issue.
A public interest litigation filed by the NGO Janhit Manch had claimed that developers of the 56-storey residential tower had violated several norms by availing excessive FSI for refuge area, said an article in The Indian Express.
But according to The Hindu, Palais Royale's refuge area is more than four per cent of its total area -- a stipulation by the National Building Code.
“The municipal commissioner will have to decide what should be the refuge area considering various factors. Appropriate order shall be passed by the commissioner in four months,” said the court.
Now, the court has allowed the developer to apply for regularisation of the multi-level public parking lot as well the 13 floors.
“If such a proposal is submitted within a period of two months, a decision will have to be taken within 60 days,” said the HC.
The HC bench reiterated that if floors above 43 are held illegal, appropriate action will have to be initiated by the BMC for demolition after four months.
Palais Royale, designed by architects Talathy and Panthaky, in association with foreign consultants Lehr Associates, New York and RWDI, Canada, among others, was developed by Shree Ram Urban Infrastructure Limited (SRUIL).
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