In a significant move to revolutionize urban development around the National Capital Region’s (NCR) Namo Bharat Corridor, the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) has signed a pivotal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) Delhi’s Center of Excellence in Planning and Design. This partnership, formalized in New Delhi, aims to elevate Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) zones surrounding the corridor to new heights.
NCRTC Managing Director Shalbh Goyal and SPA Delhi Director Prof. Dr. VK Paul were present during the signing ceremony. The collaboration merges NCRTC’s vision for balanced growth and sustainable regional mobility with SPA Delhi’s academic prowess in urban planning and design. Together, they will drive integrated land use and transport planning at stations and adjacent areas.
TOD principles promote high-density, mixed-use, compact developments near transit hubs, fostering pedestrian-friendly, inclusive, and vibrant urban spaces. These zones ensure safe walkways, seamless last-mile connectivity, easy access to public amenities, and essential services right at transit points. The result? Reduced reliance on private vehicles and a surge in public transport usage.
This initiative emphasizes land use efficiency, evidence-based public investments, and financial mechanisms like land value capture to secure the economic viability of infrastructure projects. It aligns seamlessly with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs’ broader policy to promote TOD along transit corridors, featuring a six-pronged coordination framework: identifying TOD corridors, notifying influence zones, crafting local area plans, inventorying land and properties, pinpointing development potentials, and fostering policy support.
SPA Delhi will serve as NCRTC’s knowledge partner, offering expertise in surveys, spatial analysis, stakeholder consultations, and policy recommendations. The MoU’s scope extends to future Namo Bharat corridors upon approval, promising widespread impact.
As India’s pioneering high-speed, high-frequency regional transit system, Namo Bharat connects major metropolitan areas like Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut. Integrating TOD zones will not only enhance commuter experiences but also ensure holistic, sustainable urban growth in surrounding regions, setting a benchmark for future infrastructure-led development.