Open spaces in residential layouts set to shrink in Tamil Nadu

The open space reserve area or the space earmarked for public purpose in every residential layout is all set to shrink in the state. According to a circular issued by the commissioner of town and country planning Beela Rajesh on February 26, 2018, henceforth realtors can earmark OSR excluding the space for roads allocated within the layout. Earlier, 10% of OSR was allotted calculating the area earmarked for roads as well. Though the percentage of OSR remains the same at 10%, now the promoters are allowed to calculate this OSR area excluding the space earmarked for roads. So effectively, the open space will come down, which in turn benefit the builders while leaving the residents with a shrunken public space. While builders have welcomed the move, activists say they will challenge the circular since it is against the law. The empowered committee met on February 7, 2018 and took this decision apparently after requests from real estate owners association. The empowered committee cited the procedure followed by Chennai metropolitan development authority (CMDA). In CMDA, OSR is calculated for the area excluding the roads.