The Mangaluru City Corporation has in its kitty Rs. 71 crore collected from builders under the premium floor area ratio (FAR) clause added in the Master Plan II for Mangaluru Local Planning Area which came into effect from October, 2009. The fund has remained unutilised, according to official sources.

Under the premium FAR clause, a builder can pay a certain fee to the corporation and can add extra built-up area to a building as per the provisions mentioned under the zonal regulations of Master Plan II. The corporation should utilise this fund for development works.

At a meeting here on Tuesday, J.R. Lobo, MLA, Mangaluru City South, instructed the corporation to list out the road,
drain, footpath and utility shifting works that should be urgently taken up and get the approval of the council by drawing the fund collected under premium FAR clause.

He said that the officials should prioritise the works which required immediate attention.

The former Mayor Mahabala Marla said that there was a need to improve some link roads as escape routes whenever traffic jam occurs on the main roads. They could be the link roads to the highways too.

The MLA said that the data of main roads in all 60 wards should be collected in a week. Councillors of respective wards should be consulted before finalising the draft of data.

They are required to name the roads later for identification purpose.

Mr. Lobo said that a committee under the leadership of Mayor Jacintha Vijaya Alfred should be constituted to revise
building bye-laws and zonal regulations.

The committee should comprise all stakeholder representatives.

Earlier, builders, engineers and architects met the Mayor and MLA and complained that the corporation was delaying issuing licences for constructing buildings and building completing certificates.

The officials have held up some files for silly reasons, they alleged. Licences for constructions were not being issued
even after fulfilling all eligibility and making necessary payments, they added.

Under premium FAR clause, abuilder can pay a fee to the corporation and can add extra built up area in a building as per provisions mentioned under the zonal regulations of Master Plan II

Courtesy: The Hindu