Ghaziabad raises FAR cap for SMEs from 60% to 80%

Ghaziabad's development authority, the GDA, will increase the floor area ratio (FAR) for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from 60% to 80%. This change applies to industrial plots up to 500 square meters. The goal is to help SMEs build more floors and use their space more efficiently. The GDA's secretary, Rajesh Kumar Singh, said the reforms are part of a central government plan to support capital investment. This plan aims to tackle issues related to limited land availability as Ghaziabad experiences rapid growth in industry and urbanization. Under the new guidelines, smaller industrial plots will be allowed a FAR of 3. This means businesses can cover 80% of the land with buildings. Previously, the cap was only 60%, and the FAR for larger plots was much lower. For plots between 500 and 1,000 square meters, coverage is increased to 75%. Larger plots, up to 10,000 square meters, will have a ground coverage limit of 70%. In addition to these changes, the new rules also lower the required open spaces around buildings. For smaller plots, front setbacks have been reduced from 6 meters to 3 meters, and rear setbacks from 3.5 meters to 2 meters. This means businesses can utilize their land more effectively. Currently, Ghaziabad is home to over 1,09,842 micro industries, 4,075 small-scale industries, and 443 medium-scale industries. These changes are expected to enhance industrial growth in the region, leading to more opportunities for SMEs and employment for thousands of workers.