Mumbai News: Relief For Andheri Residents As Govt Promises AAI Tower Relocation In 6–8 Months; Floating FSI If Delayed

In a significant development for residents of DN Nagar and the Gulmohar area in Andheri (West), the state government on Tuesday informed the Assembly that transmission towers of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) located at DN Nagar would be relocated within the next six to eight months. If the relocation does not materialize within the stipulated time, the government said it would positively consider amending the Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR) to allow floating Floor Space Index (FSI) for affected buildings for their redevelopment.

The assurance came in response to a calling attention motion moved by BJP MLA Ameet Satam, who highlighted the plight of residents facing redevelopment hurdles due to height restrictions imposed by AAI’s transmission installations.

"Old buildings in the area, constructed in the 1970s and 1980s, are in a dilapidated condition and urgently need redevelopment. However, the presence of AAI’s transmitting stations has led to strict height restrictions, making redevelopment financially unviable. Most residents are middle-class Marathi families who have been suffering due to this delay. Now, the government says that two options have been given to the AAI for shifting the transmitting stations and are awaiting for their response," said Satam.

Furthermore Satam pointed out that while the issue was raised in the last Assembly session and the government had then assured relocation of the towers before the monsoon session, no action had been taken so far. "Merely giving two options to the AAI does not solve the problem. Will the government ensure the towers are shifted within the next six to eight months? And if not, will it amend the DCPR to provide floating FSI to enable redevelopment?"He questioned.

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Responding to the concerns, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said, "The government is making continuous efforts to resolve this issue. Two alternate locations have been proposed to the AAI, and the matter is in its final stages. We are hopeful that the relocation will be completed within the next 6 to 8 months."

Industries Minister Uday Samant said, "If the relocation does not happen within the said timeframe, the state government would certainly take a positive decision regarding a floating FSI policy."

In 2019, the AAI imposed restrictions on construction height within a specific radius of its transmission stations, severely affecting redevelopment plans for nearly 400 buildings in the area. The proposed relocation is expected to bring long-awaited relief to residents and pave the way for much-needed urban renewal in the area.