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Delhi's Metro-Linked Affordable Housing Plan Unveiled by Centre

The Union Housing Minister has unveiled a new Transit Oriented Development policy to promote affordable housing along Delhi's Metro and RRTS corridors. The policy opens up approximately 207 square kilometers of land within 500 meters of transit stations for planned, high-density development. It mandates that 65% of the permissible floor area in these zones be used for residential units, specifically targeting dwellings with a built-up area of up to 100 square meters. The initiative aims to provide legal, low-cost housing options, reduce the need for illegal colonies, and enhance metro ridership through sustainable urban growth.

Key Points: Affordable Housing Along Delhi Metro, RRTS Corridors

  • 207 sq km area near transit opened for development
  • Affordable houses up to 100 sq m built-up area
  • Aims to reduce growth of illegal colonies
  • Leverages existing & upcoming Metro/RRTS infrastructure
3 min read

Future-ready Delhi: Centre eyes affordable houses along Metro, RRTS corridors

New TOD policy aims to build 100 sq m affordable houses along transit corridors to curb illegal colonies and create a future-ready Delhi.

"the foundation of a future-ready city with the Transit Oriented Development concept - Manohar Lal"

New Delhi, April 7

Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal on Tuesday unveiled a blueprint for the development of affordable houses - with up to 100 sq metres built-up area - along Delhi Metro and RRTS corridors, thereby reducing the need for the creation of illegal colonies that offer low-cost houses.

Addressing a press conference, Manohar Lal said under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, the city's legacy issues will be addressed and the foundation of a future-ready city with the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) concept envisaged in the Master Plan of Delhi 2021.

He said Regulations for Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and Charges, 2026, build upon this vision to promote planned, sustainable, and transit-linked urban growth, particularly along metro corridors, thereby enhancing accessibility and enabling the creation of affordable housing stock.

Manohar Lal said under the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) concept, small, affordable houses would be developed by the Delhi Development Authority and private builders, and the dwellings would be sold at market-determined rates.

He stated that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Delhi is witnessing a new phase of planned and inclusive urban development, aimed at addressing legacy issues while building a future-ready city.

The new policy ensures provisioning of affordable housing in the NCT of Delhi and sustainable mobility and optimised utilisation of land through compact mixed-use development, by leveraging existing and upcoming public transit infrastructure and the associated large number of users.

The current policy has a corridor-based approach and opens up an area of 207sq.km (500m on either side of Metro corridors and 500 m radius of Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS)/Railway Stations) primarily for provisioning of affordable housing through planned development and redevelopment.

Out of this 207 sq. ft. Km, about 80 sq. Km of an area under Land Pooling, Low Density Residential Area and Unauthorised Colonies, which was excluded in the earlier TOD Policy, has now been brought under the purview of the new TOD Policy, said the Union Minister.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's Transit Oriented Development (TOD) policy provides flexibility and allows for development along the operational as well as proposed metro corridors/ RRTS,/Railway Stations, etc.

This will allow TOD development to be commensurate with the construction of the new metro corridors. New affordable housing and related infrastructure can come up in a planned way in such areas. This will also ensure enhanced metro ridership and better livability, she said.

The Policy enables the development of smaller plots of 2000 sq.m. under TOD provisions.

Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) up to 500 is permitted in TOD Zones on plot sizes of 2000 sq.m and above, with an 18-meter road. Out of this, 65 per cent of the total permissible FAR has been mandatorily earmarked for residential use with dwelling units with a built-up area of 100 sq m, thereby providing for affordable housing along the metro corridor.

The policy envisages a high-density, mixed-use planned development specifically aiming at the creation of affordable housing along all metro corridors, said Manohar Lal.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
"Market-determined rates" for affordable housing? That's the catch. In Delhi, market rates near Metro corridors are already sky-high. Will these houses truly be affordable for the middle class, or just a label?
R
Rohit P
Including unauthorized colonies under the new policy is a smart move. It's better to regularize and develop these areas with proper infrastructure than to let them grow haphazardly. Good step for urban planning.
S
Sarah B
As someone who recently moved to Delhi for work, the housing crisis is real. A 100 sq m apartment near a Metro station at a reasonable price would be a dream come true. Fingers crossed this becomes reality soon!
V
Vikram M
The focus on Transit Oriented Development is the right way forward for any megacity. It promotes sustainable living. My only request: please ensure green spaces and community areas are part of this "compact development". We need breathing room too.
K
Kavya N
Hope this doesn't just become another policy on paper. Delhi has seen many such announcements. The proof will be in the first project delivered. Will the common person be able to buy a home, or will it be grabbed by investors?
M
Michael C
The corridor-based approach covering 207 sq km is ambitious. Leveraging existing transit infrastructure is key to smart growth

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