MMRDA takes up redevelopment work near 2 upcoming Metro stations

For a majority of Mumbaiites who use more than one mode of travel to work every single day, a walk to the nearest Metro station will be a dream come true. If all goes well, this dream can turn into reality. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), which is executing all Metro projects in the city, has recently taken up the redevelopment of two colonies in the vicinity of under-construction Metro corridors.

The authority is looking to implement the concept of transit-oriented development (TOD) in the city. TOD is an approach to bring the area surrounding transit corridors under residential and commercial development, with an aim to maximise access to public transport.

It has taken up the redevelopment of Adarsh Nagar in Versova and a Maharashtra Housing and Development Association (MHADA) colony in Kurla for starters. The colonies are close to Metro-2A (Dahisar to DN Nagar) and Metro-2B (DN Nagar to Mandale) respectively, an official said.

The MMRDA is executing Metro projects worth more than ₹1 lakh crore in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. With TOD, it can generate funds by giving out more floor space index (FSI) for a premium. FSI is the ratio of the built-up area to its plot. RA Rajeev, metropolitan commissioner, MMRDA said, “This way, we are looking at urban renewal and also cross subsidising the cost to build the Metros.”

TOD will, therefore, offer residential, commercial and public spaces near the Metro stations. Currently, there are six under-construction metros in the city. In agreement with MHADA, MMRDA is looking at more residential complexes near the Metro corridors, which need to be redeveloped. The authority is also in the process of appointing a consultant to undertake a study on the possibilities of development around the Metro stations.

Metro-2A (Dahisar-DN Nagar), 2B (DN Nagar-Mandale), 4 (Wadala-Kasarvadavali) and 6 (Swami Samarth Nagar-Jogeshwari) are being looked at first.

The TOD concept, however, was highly criticised by urban planners when it was first introduced in the municipal corporation’s Development Plan (DP) 2034.

The plan, which was eventually scrapped, had suggested variable FSI, ranging from 2.5 to 8, with a higher density around mass transit corridors.

First Published: May 07, 2019 23:28 IST