SURAT: Surat Urban Development Authority (SUDA) will adopt a transport-oriented pattern for its new development plan and promote taller buildings. The development plan would be chalked out keeping in focus the geographical location of the city. It would permit higher floor space index (FSI) in some places to facilitate vertical development as mass transport facilities like Bus Rapid Transit System and Metro Rail need lot of area for growth.

The new development plan is likely to be submitted to the state government soon. "Allowance of FSI in SUDA area will encourage speedier development." a SUDA officer said.

Surat Builders Association (SBA) president Velji Sheta said, "We have demanded 4 FSI in place of 1.8 on a plot in SUDA area and permission to build 70 metre high building along a 30 metre wide road."

The FSI along the BRTS road in Ahmedabad is of 4.

SUDA chairman Milind Torwane said, "When we take a decision on FSI permission, we have to take into consideration transport projects like BRTS and Metro Rail. Future development projects along the Outer Ring Road also need to be kept in view. A transport-oriented development plan means different FSIs for new areas."

There would be special zone demarcation for education, information technology, entertainment and healthcare projects in the new development plan for Surat that would be a sprawling city of 1.2 crore people by 2026 with an increased territorial limit.