More FSI to builders who build houses for middle class: Mah CM

Mumbai, Feb 19 (UNI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today said the government will give extra floor space index (FSI) to builders who construct houses for the middle class in metropolis.

Speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the country's first underground tunnel here, Mr Deshmukh admitted that the cost of houses in the city was beyond the reach of the common man and the government would give extra FSI to the builders to construct 400, 500 or 600 square feet tenements in the city.

''Prices of commercial and residential complexes in the city have skyrocketted and the builders are constructing big houses only for the rich and the ultra rich, who can afford the astronomical prices but are beyond the reach of the common man,'' he said.

The Chief Minister said one square metre of land in Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) area fetched the government Rs 3 lakh, which the common man could not afford and the government was thinking of the welfare of the middle class, which forms the majority in the city.

''The government had neglected the middle class and worked for the development of the upper class and the slum dwellers,'' admitted Mr Deshmukh and said there were many more schemes for the middle class.

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