The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has notified the Transit Oriented Development policy and charges, 2026, for Delhi to enable higher density near metro corridors and expand affordable housing. The announcement at a joint press conference by the minister, the Delhi chief minister and the lieutenant governor noted that TOD was envisaged in the Master Plan of Delhi 2021 but implementation had been delayed by hurdles. The regulations aim to coordinate development and mobility planning.

The corridor-based policy designates 207 sq. km around transit lines, defined as 500 m on either side of operational or proposed metro corridors and a 500 m radius around Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) and railway stations, primarily for planned redevelopment and affordable housing. About 80 sq. km that had been excluded earlier, including land pooling areas, low-density residential zones and unauthorised colonies, have now been brought within the TOD purview. The government also issued the Regulations for Transit-Oriented Development and Charges, 2026.

The policy permits TOD along both operational and proposed corridors and is intended to support new metro corridors with coordinated development of housing and infrastructure, which officials said will boost metro ridership and urban livability. Citizens proposing to develop land in TOD zones will be able to apply for approvals and pay charges at one point only, avoiding separate approaches to municipal and utility agencies, and the procedure will be time-bound. The framework aims to streamline approvals and delivery.

Smaller plots of 2000 sq. m may be developed under TOD provisions and a maximum floor area ratio (FAR) of up to 500 is permitted on plots of 2000 sq. m and above with an 18 m road. 65 per cent of the total permissible FAR has been mandatorily earmarked for residential use, with dwelling units indicated at a built-up area of 100 sq. m (< 99 sq. m), thereby targeting affordable housing along transit corridors. Simplified TOD charges of Rs 10,000 per sq. m will be levied and proceeds will be placed in a ring-fenced escrow for TOD development.