Ghaziabad: GDA seeks clarity on transit-oriented development along Metro line

The UP government had sanctioned mixed land use by the GDA as per new by-laws in November 2011

The Ghaziabad development authority (GDA) has sought more clarity from the state government on the norms for transit-oriented development (TOD). The move comes ahead of upcoming regional rapid transit system (RRTS) project and the 9.41km-metro link in Ghaziabad reaching advanced stages of construction.

The GDA has written to the state for more clarity on conditions of allowing mixed land use near Metro corridors. (Sakib Ali/HT PHOTO)

TOD means creation of compact, walkable, mixed-land use communities that are generally centered around high-quality train systems. In October 2015, the authority had also cleared a TOD proposal for the operational 2.57km metro project that connects Anand Vihar in Delhi to Vaishali in Ghaziabad.

The authority had allowed mixed land use near the metro influence zone, estimated to be within 500 metres on both sides of a project such as the Metro. However, despite major revenue expectations from allowing mixed land use, only one group housing project has been cleared so far.

In November 2011, the state government had authorised the GDA to allow mixed land use as per the new by-laws. However, such land use was only allowed over a minimum of a four-hectare plot located along a road wider than 30 metres.

“Finding a four-hectare plot in city areas is too difficult. So, we have sent a proposal and sought more clarity from state officials about the rule. We have asked if the four hectares could be considered under a combined proposal by a group of residents,” said Kanchan Verma, vice-chairperson, GDA.

Read I Ghaziabad metro project held up by land issues

“We are thinking of more clarity about mixed land use as our metro project is in advanced stages of construction and is slotted for TOD. Further, we have the upcoming RRTS project that will also have a major area that can be covered under TOD. The idea is that aiding finances for high-cost projects should generate revenue,” Verma added.

The RRTS project is proposed on the elevated section of the erstwhile NH-58. It is to provide high-speed train connectivity to Delhi, Ghaziabad and Meerut on the lines of metro trains.