National Transit Oriented Development Policy: Key Facts

What is National Transit Oriented Development Policy?

For addressing urbanisation challenges around India, the Ministry of Urban Development has recently come out with a framework to promote development near mass urban transit corridors.
It seeks to promote ‘Transit Oriented Development (TOD)’ which enables people to live within walking or cycling distance from Metros, Monorail and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors, etc.

This policy will enhance the depth of understanding of States and UTs on TOD as a viable solution to many of the challenges like excessive urban growth, rapidly rising private vehicles on roads, pollution, housing choices etc.
A community with a strong and dependable transit system and streetscaping elements can discourage vehicle dependence and congestion.

Main facts of the National Transit Oriented Development Policy

In the new Metro Policy drafted by Government, TOD has been made mandatory.
It has been given priority for receiving central assistance.
It will promote integration of land use planning with transportation and infrastructure development to avoid long distance travel in cities
TOD is for compact development as against the present pattern of unplanned and haphazard urban growth.
The Union Government TOD policy will help the states to develop an in-depth understanding of the challenges currently faced by Indian cities.
TOD Policy aims at inclusive development in the form of a range of housing choices including affordable housing and ensuring spaces for street vendors.
If properly executed, TOD could emerge as a means of financing mass transit project, for which the demand is growing.
Financial needs for TOD will be met by channelising a part of property values resulting from investments in transit corridors through betterment levies and value capture financing tools.
The Central Government has notified the TOD policy in 2015 but there was no clarity on the process for management of open spaces, various sanctions, parking space, water requirement, etc.

What was behind this creative and much-needed initiative?

According to Press Information Bureau, the Ministry’s initiative comes in the context of over 300 km of Metro lines being operational in seven cities, another 600 kms of metro line projects under construction in 12 cities and over 500 km projects under consideration. The Ministry has supported BRTS projects in 12 cities which are in different stages of progress and eight more cities are set to take up BRT projects. Mass Rail Transit System of 380 km length is being taken up in Delhi.

Pilot Projects under Transit Oriented Development(TOD) Policy

Initially, TOD has pilot projects along four metro corridors and another pilot project near Karkardooma in Delhi is getting in-principal approval for the first phase of transit-oriented development (TOD).
The TOD aiming to build mass-rapid transport hubs that will have an inner zone of 300 metres radius called the intense-zone
This intense zone will give preference to high-density mixed use development, pedestrians and non-motorised transport, and two more concentric zones of 800 metres and 2 km with high-density street network and equitable distribution of road space.