New Delhi, February 9 (). An important step has been taken towards strengthening Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) around the Namo Bharat Corridor being developed in the National Capital Region (NCR). Under this, National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Center of Excellence in Planning and Design of the prestigious educational institute School of Planning and Architecture (SPA-Delhi), based in New Delhi.
This MoU was signed by NCRTC Managing Director Shalabh Goyal and SPA-Delhi Director Prof. Done in the presence of Dr. VK Paul. The objective of this partnership is to ensure better planning and effective implementation of TOD zones around all NaMo Bharat corridors to be built in NCR.
NCRTC’s vision of balanced growth and sustainable regional mobility and SPA-Delhi’s academic and technical expertise in urban planning and design will combine to promote integrated land use and transport planning at the stations and surrounding areas.
Under the TOD policy, high-density, mixed-use and compact development is encouraged around transit hubs. This enables the creation of pedestrian-friendly, inclusive and vibrant urban areas. Better TOD zones provide commuters with safe walking routes, better last-mile connectivity, easy access to public spaces and essential services close to transit hubs. This reduces dependence on private vehicles and promotes public transport.
The initiative will also focus on increasing land use efficiency, strengthening evidence-based public investment and implementing financial mechanisms such as land value capture to ensure economic sustainability of infrastructure projects.
This MoU is in line with the broader policy of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to promote TOD along transit corridors. Under this, a six-point coordination framework has been prepared, which includes identification of TOD corridors, notification of influence zones, formulation of local area plans, inventory of land and property, identification of potential development areas and policy collaboration.
SPA-Delhi will act as a knowledge partner for NCRTC in this partnership and will provide support in surveys, spatial analysis, stakeholder consultation and policy recommendations. This MoU can also be extended to other Namo Bharat corridors to be approved in future.
NaMo Bharat, India’s first high-speed, high-frequency regional transit system, is connecting large metropolitan areas like Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut. Its integration with the TOD zone will not only improve the travel experience but will also ensure holistic and sustainable urban development of the surrounding areas.
—
PKT/ASH
