The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has decided to take up a comprehensive feasibility study as the first step towards promoting the concept of Transit Oriented Development (TOD).
Consultants will soon be appointed to study the potential of TOD in the Hyderabad Metropolitan Area and to come up with a concept for similar development around the proposed Metro Rail station at Balanagar.
The HMDA is banking on the present MMTS network, other suburban services run by Diesel Multiple Units that complement the MMTS and the proposed Metro Rail service to initiate development work along the transit lines.
The consultants will also be asked to suggest the required strategies and planning and development control regulations to encourage TOD. The best international practices relating to planning, development and implementation will be identified with the ones suited to the city. The study and recommendations will be used to demonstrate the best aspects of TOD in about 0.6-km radius around the Balanagar Metro Station, including the available HMDA land parcel. It will also include the other nearby land parcels of the government and the potential private development work in the vicinity. The HMDA expects such a plan to reflect the proposed land uses, urban design, neighbourhood access, pedestrian and bicycle connectivity, urban green concepts and internal roads, apart from efficient connectivity with the Metro station and nearby bus facilities.
