Ghaziabad TOD Policy: 50% Higher FAR & 200% Revenue Boost Along RRTS Corridor

Ghaziabad’s Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) policy is a major urban planning shift designed to reshape land use, increase revenue, and support high-density development along the 45 km Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor. This corridor, built and operated by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), connects key nodes in the National Capital Region and is intended to shift commuter behaviour from private vehicles to mass rapid transit.

Higher FAR & Mixed-Use Permissions

The TOD policy allows up to 50% higher Floor Area Ratio (FAR) in designated influence zones along the rapid rail alignment. A higher FAR enables more built-up area on the same land parcel, increasing the commercial viability for developers and enhancing long-term municipal revenue.

The policy also supports mixed-use zoning, allowing residential, commercial, retail, hospitality, offices, and institutional spaces to coexist within walking distance of transit stations. This structure reduces travel time, encourages public transport usage, and increases pedestrian movement.

Revenue Upside

According to internal assessments, the TOD policy is projected to boost corridor-linked revenue by over 200% compared to earlier estimates. This increase stems from:

• Higher development rights being monetized.
• Increased demand for commercial and housing projects near stations.
• More property taxes and development charges for GDA and local bodies.
• Rising land valuations around metro and RRTS stations due to improved accessibility.

Implementing Agencies

The Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) and the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) are jointly executing the TOD provisions. Their shared goal is to:

• Unlock land value
• Improve urban efficiency
• Maximize returns on large infrastructure investments

This collaboration aligns Ghaziabad’s planning strategy with broader regional mobility and growth plans.

Population Growth & Urban Expansion

Ghaziabad is projected to reach a population of 4.81 million by 2031, driving the need for compact, transit-linked urban spaces. With rapid suburban growth and increasing economic activity, TOD is seen as a long-term structural solution to manage density, reduce unmanaged sprawl, and improve liveability.

Special Development Areas (SDAs)

The policy identifies Special Development Areas such as the zone around the Duhai rapid rail depot. These SDAs are earmarked for:

• Mixed-use developments
• Warehousing & logistics support
• Retail pockets
• Medium-to-high-density housing
• Institutional and commercial clusters

SDAs are intended to become self-contained hubs that reduce unnecessary commuting.

Goals: Mobility, Sustainability, Revenue

The TOD policy aims to:

• Increase public transport ridership by placing jobs, homes, and commerce near stations.
• Reduce congestion on arterial roads by shifting commuters from cars and motorcycles to rapid rail.
• Generate sustainable revenue streams for the corridor, supporting long-term operations and maintenance.
• Promote planned densification instead of unregulated horizontal expansion.

The policy integrates land value capture, modern zoning, and mobility planning to reshape Ghaziabad’s growth model for the next decade.

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