The Uttar Pradesh state officials have directed the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) to utilize the metro corridors’ potential in Ghaziabad by designating 500-meter transit-oriented development (TOD) zones along the metro alignment, as reported by Hindustan Times.
These TOD zones will be defined and incorporated into the draft Master Plan 2031 for the city once the state’s notification is received.
The draft Master Plan 2031, a 10-year development roadmap for Ghaziabad, is anticipated to receive final approval in the coming months, replacing the existing Master Plan 2021.
TOD is a widely adopted strategy that encourages development along public transit corridors, leading to more efficient land use. It is seen as a sustainable alternative to urban sprawl, maximizing the use of existing infrastructure and optimizing transit networks.
In cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru, development and metro authorities also adopt TOD policies along existing and upcoming metro corridors.
Currently, Ghaziabad has two metro corridors: a 2.1 km Blue Line from Anand Vihar to Vaishali and a 9.34 km Red Line from Dilshad Garden to New Bus Adda.
Last September, the state government implemented a new TID policy, naming eight Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) project stations. This naming was also included in the Draft Master Plan 2031.
The 82-km RRTS project has eight stations in the Ghaziabad district: Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai, Duhai Depot, Muradnagar, Modinagar (South) and Modinagar (North).
5,601 hectares of TOD zone have been acquired around the mass transit system lines.
“Once the TOD zones are defined and included in the draft Master Plan 2031 for the metro corridors, the plan will be finalized and implemented. This is expected to happen in the next 2-3 months,” stated Atul Vats, vice-chairperson of GDA.