NEW DELHI: Numerous Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) are expressing concerns about the potential chaos that could result from the rollout of the new Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) policy.
This policy allows for mixed-use developments on plots adjacent to metro corridors and within a 500-metre radius of RRTS stations and railway lines, regardless of the plot size or current land designation.
While it requires that 65% of the plot area be allocated for residential use, residents are doubtful regarding the enforcement of these guidelines. Members of the Save Our City campaign highlighted that the Master Plan for Delhi, 2021, which incorporated mixed land use, has effectively transformed the city into a continuous marketplace.
They claimed that the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) hasn’t conducted a thorough field survey or audit for a decade to determine the impact of this policy change.
“The all-day peak-hour traffic in residential communities, due to the mixing of office and commercial areas, has led to constant chaos. Previously, roads designated by the master plan only faced heavy traffic during peak hours, but that has significantly changed. Ongoing congestion not only contributes to continuous vehicle emissions but also prevents dust from settling, leading to persistently high air quality index (AQI) levels,” stated Rajiv Kakria, the campaign’s convener.
The group has raised objections and recommendations in 2019 and November 2025. Despite reassurances from officials, they allege their issues remain unresolved.
Citing the situation in Greater Kailash-I (GK-I) as an example, they noted that the area is encircled by several metro lines — the Pink Line to the north, the Magenta Line to the south, the Violet Line to the east, and the proposed extension of the Red Line to the west — placing nearly 85% of the neighborhood under the TOD policy.
“The 500-metre corridor will encompass most of GK-I, especially given that the two metro lines are less than 800 metres apart. Similar issues will arise throughout Delhi. We question why regions like Lutyens’ Delhi, Civil Lines, or heritage sites have not been included so that the impact is more evenly distributed,” Kakria added.
Residents also contended that these changes violate the provisions of the Delhi Municipal Corporation (DMC) Act. “Sections 311, 312, and 314 of the DMC Act require building approval plans to comply with designated land use. Including a 500-metre metro corridor under the TOD policy and allowing mixed-use in redevelopment zones seems to indirectly endorse what was otherwise challenging under the impending MPD-2041,” Kakria explained.
RWAs also questioned the allowance of a 500 FAR on 2000 sqm in the densely populated city, despite sustained opposition in various forums. “This is the DDA’s way of converting Delhi into a nightmare. We voiced strong objections during public hearings, and it appears the Centre is hurrying to implement a policy that will further exacerbate traffic, pollution, and congestion,” remarked Sanjay Gupta of Model Town III RWA.
