Transit-oriented dev still on paper

Announced in the last Budget, the central government is yet to implement its transit-oriented development (TOD) framework in 14 cities having a population of 3 million even as urban planning experts advocate that TOD could potentially resolve the twin problems of pollution and congestion by making urbanisation compact.

- Soumya Chatterjee

NEW DELHI:

TOD works by integrating land-use planning and transport planning by allowing high-rises, mixed-use (residences, commercial complexes, office spaces) neighbourhoods with active frontages centered around public transport nodes, thereby encouraging public transport usage, walking or cycling. The concept is also resource-efficient as it not only makes commuting for daily necessities easier but also reduces the per capita cost of civic amenities, including water and sanitation.

The relaxed FAR (floor area ratio) norms are allowed within the influence zone of 800 metres to 1km around busy bus and metro stations.

Its thorough implementation allows for envisaging the concept of 15-minute cities such as pushed by the Parisian city authority.

Incidentally, the Centre has mentioned the concept at least five times in its Budget since 2019 according to Rutul Joshi, an urban planning expert.

Joshi said the reason why TOD is making slow progress in India is due to disharmony in policy. "There is no defined legal mandates or statutory provisions to make TOD plans."

The India Infrastructure Report 2023 noted that some projects taken up under the Smart Cities Mission were not adequate to house people.