he Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has finalised its Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) policy which will allow intensive development around Metro corridors. Users will enjoy easier access to public transport, affordable housing, and cleaner environment among others.
The policy will be in public domain for objections or suggestions till May 24, after which it will be sent to the Urban Development Ministry for approval.
In a major departure from the previous norms, which said that TOD norms would not be applicable to areas such as the Lutyens’ Bungalow Zone, Civil Lines Bungalow Area, Yamuna riverbed and Monument Regulated Zone, the new norms appear a little relaxed.
The draft policy now says that as per ASI guidelines, development in Monument Regulated Zones shall be allowed under TOD Policy, subject to compliance of the National Monuments Authority’s (NMA) restrictions, if any.
If part of any scheme contains a Monument Regulated Zone, the benefit of the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) can be taken within areas outside the regulatory boundaries within the scheme.
In another major change, the part of the earlier policy that provided TOD incentives to Ring Railway has been removed.
The incentives were provided at the stations which may overlap with Metro stations or railway terminals, in order to generate cross-subsidy for improvement of the system.
In its previous avatar, the policy had recommended that 20 per cent of open spaces in areas being developed remain open for general public at all times, failing which they be taken over by a public agency.
Also, at least 20 per cent of land was proposed to be handed over as constructed roads/ circulation areas to the government/ local body for public use. These clauses for redevelopment areas, however, have now been removed from the draft.
In a further relaxation, the new draft allows higher FAR and height through the approval of a comprehensive TOD integrated scheme.
The draft says that wherever height is restricted by any regulatory authorities like the Airports Authority of India, relaxation in ground coverage and setbacks, without compromising the green public open space, the TOD integrated scheme be allowed subject to clearance from the Fire Department.
The emphasis of the draft also seems to be on development of housing, with the minimum area provided for commercial use in TOD zones reduced from the previous 10 per cent to a minimum 5 per cent of FAR.
For an impact assessment of TOD projects, local bodies concerned have been asked to prepare layout plans indicating public spaces, district level social infrastructure, etc.
The TOD policy will be in public domain for suggestions
till May 24
