NEW DELHI: Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on Saturday issued a public notice outlining draft modifications to its Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) policy, aimed at facilitating more flexible and extensive planned housing development across the city.The authority has invited objections and suggestions from the public within 45 days. Under the proposed changes, unauthorised colonies and the Walled City have been removed from the list of areas where TOD projects are prohibited, marking a major shift in the planning framework.According to the draft, TOD development will not be permitted in seven categories of land: areas earmarked for environmental protection, Zone O and its buffers, villages notified under the Green Belt, monument-protected and heritage zones, Civil Lines Bungalow Area, Lutyens’ Bungalow Zone, Chanakyapuri and cantonment/defence areas. The minimum plot size required for TOD development has been reduced to 2,000 sq metres, down from the existing 10,000 sq metres, within 500 metres of a metro station. “The initiative will bring people closer to the metro,” said an official.Under the new proposed TOD rules, at least 65% of the total buildable space (floor area ratio/FAR) on a TOD plot must be used to build residential units under 100 sq metres, including guest houses or studio apartments. At least 10% of FAR must be used for shops, small businesses and community facilities. The remaining 25% can be used for larger homes (over 100 sq metres), offices, guest houses or studio apartments. The minimum FAR for TOD plots will now be 400, up from 300 before. To qualify, plots must be next to a road that is at least 18 metres wide.The proposed TOD zones will generally cover a 500-metre stretch on either side of existing or planned metro lines, and along RRTS routes where stations are less than 500 metres apart. For bigger transit hubs, like regional railway stations, RRTS stations or planned high-speed rail stations that are farther than 500 metres apart, the TOD zone will extend to 500 metre radius.To make it easier for people to walk to stations and reduce the use of private vehicles, the draft also allows for direct underground access through basements from TOD plots to metro stations, provided clearances are obtained from a DDA committee and metro security. “If several TOD plots are along the same road, they may get permission for this,” an official said. The committee reviewing such proposals will be chaired by vice-chairman of DDA and will include senior officials from civic bodies and representatives from DJB, BSES, PWD, DPCC and Delhi Traffic Police.The draft also sets a uniform TOD charge of Rs 10,000 per sq metre of FAR, payable when submitting the development plan. These charges will remain applicable until revised by the Govt of India. Delhi’s TOD policy, first approved by the ministry of urban development on July 14, 2015, as part of the Master Plan for Delhi 2021. Earlier this month, Union minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced further revisions aimed at reducing traffic congestion, promoting high-rise development and enhancing last-mile connectivity.
