GHAZIABAD: In a decision that may impact small shop owners as well big applicants, Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) will levy a special amenity fee in and around different development areas in the district on commercial and mixed land use properties — that is 25% of the development charge that GDA charges. In Ghaziabad’s context, the special amenity fee will be applicable in and around 500m on both sides of the Namo Bharat and metro corridor.
All shops and malls, besides other setups, are going to be affected by this decision.
UP govt has made provisions for the same in its UP Urban Planning and Development (Assessment, Levy, and Collection of Special Amenity Fee) Rules 2024, and a govt order (GO) in this regard was issued by the state govt. “The special amenity fee is, in a way, an extension of the transit-oriented development (TOD) policy with an aim to monetise land parcels and create commercial and service hubs around the two corridors,” a GDA official said.
“As for the special amenity fee rate, it will be up to 25% of the development charge that GDA charges. As per the clause of UP Urban Planning and Development (Assessment, Levy, and Collection of Special Amenity Fee) Rules 2024, the amenity fee will not exceed 25% of the applicable development fee,” the official added.
The development authorities levy fees under heads called development fee, building permit fee and inspection fee. The development fee for developers, for instance, is Rs 10,000 for land size up to 1 hectare. For land sizes over 1 hectare and up to 2.5 hectares, the fee is Rs 20,000. Similarly, for land sizes over 2.5 hectares to 5 hectares, the rates were fixed at Rs 30,000. There is an additional charge of Rs 15,000 for every 5 hectares of plot size.
Among other features of the special amenity fee as prescribed in the act, the applicant shall pay the full amount of the special amenity fee as levied by the development authority. “But for plot sizes more than 10,000 sqm, the vice chairperson of the development authority may permit payment of the special amenity fee in instalments over a period of a maximum of two years with a 12% annual rate of simple interest. In case of default in timely payment of instalments, the applicant shall be liable to pay a penal interest at the rate of 15% per annum compounded annually,” the official said.
The development fee mandates the development authority to levy charges for carrying out building engineering works or making any material change in a building, which also includes redevelopment.
The special amenity fee will be calculated on the basis of the development fee, which will be up to 25% of the development fee.
