Transit-oriented development still on paper

Announced in the last Budget, the central government is yet to implement its transit-oriented development 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. While private development can take care of high floor area, to ensure higher walkability and access to public transport, there is also a need for adequate budgetary provisions.” Thirdly, he said the same high FAR norms are allowed in peripheral areas, including along state and national highways which attract the attention of private developers due to lower cost of land and indirectly take capital away from core-city projects where land is scarce and priced at a premium. Another expert working with the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs, who asked not to be named, said that “a lack of political will” was the primary reason for the Centre’s reluctance to push TOD as urban planning is a state subject. Initially, the plan was to work with the cities to help them plan better in the TOD zones and also work on station area development,” the official quoted above said, requesting anonymity.