The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on Saturday released a draft of its updated Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) policy aimed at promoting planned residential development near metro stations across the city.
The draft seeks to make TOD projects more flexible and extensive, while improving last-mile connectivity for commuters.
The authority has invited public objections and suggestions within 45 days. A significant shift in the draft policy is the removal of unauthorized colonies and the Walled City from the list of areas where TOD projects are prohibited.
Under the new draft, TOD projects will still not be allowed in environmentally protected areas, Zone O and its buffers, villages under the Green Belt, monument-protected and heritage zones, Civil Lines Bungalow Area, Lutyens’ Bungalow Zone, Chanakyapuri, and cantonment or defense areas. The minimum plot size for TOD development has been reduced from 10,000 square meters to 2,000 square meters within 500 meters of a metro station.
At least 65 percent of the total buildable space on a TOD plot must now be allocated to residential units of under 100 square meters, including guest houses or studio apartments.
A minimum of 10 percent of the floor area ratio (FAR) is to be used for commercial shops, small businesses, and community facilities, while the remaining 25 percent can be used for larger homes, offices, guest houses, or studio apartments.
The minimum FAR for TOD plots has been raised from 300 to 400, and eligible plots must be adjacent to a road at least 18 meters wide.
The proposed TOD zones will generally extend 500 meters on either side of existing or planned metro lines and along Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) routes where stations are less than 500 meters apart.
For major transit hubs, including regional railway stations, RRTS stations, or planned high-speed rail stations located more than 500 meters apart, the TOD zone will extend to a 500-meter radius.
To encourage walking and reduce reliance on private vehicles, the draft allows direct underground access from TOD plots to metro stations through basements, subject to approvals from a DDA committee and metro security.
The committee reviewing TOD proposals will be chaired by the vice-chairman of DDA and include senior officials from civic bodies and representatives from DJB, BSES, PWD, DPCC, and Delhi Traffic Police.
Developers submitting TOD plans will pay a uniform charge of Rs 10,000 per square meter of FAR, which will remain in effect until revised by the Government of India.
The DDA first approved the TOD policy on July 14, 2015, as part of the Master Plan for Delhi 2021.
The new draft revisions are intended to reduce traffic congestion, support high-rise development, enhance last-mile connectivity, and bring residents closer to public transit hubs.
Vibha Sharma, who authored the report, is an Assistant Editor at The Times of India with 17 years of experience reporting on urban infrastructure, city planning, and civic affairs in Delhi.
