The CMDA is proposing green TDRs to help save waterbodies.
What’s it about? The CMDA is proposing acquiring land parcels near waterbodies in exchange for green transferable development rights (TDRs). The goal is to have buffer zones and prevent encroachments. TDRs were previously introduced in Tamil Nadu but weren’t popular due to no legal backing. Only after the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act was amended, the state gave legal sanctity to the development rights certificates.
- TDR is a compensation issued through Floor Space Index (FSI) or development rights. It allows the owner to build additional built-up areas above the stipulated limit.
- The first will be for eco-sensitive areas like waterbodies and marshlands. These include those protected by the state government. The buffer zones will be 50 metres from the boundaries of marshlands like Pallikarnai and Buckingham Canal.
Concerns: Former Anna University professor KP Subramanian said TDRs along waterbodies should be bought by the government, and their ownership shouldn’t be with land owners since it could lead to unauthorised development.
- Also, the TDRs used in Mumbai have been monopolised by a few. Officials said they’re looking into this and will have solutions so that the Mumbai scenario doesn’t repeat in Chennai.