Transit-Oriented Development in India

• India is on the verge of a transportation revolution, with a projected ₹3 trillion investment in approved metro rail projects between 2022-2027.
• Public transportation investment can generate thousands of jobs and yield economic returns 5-7 times greater than the initial outlay.
• The National Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Policy and Metro Rail Policy were approved in 2017 to leverage investments in mass transit and improve quality of life.
• 27 Indian cities are building metro rail systems and other forms of rail- and bus-based mass rapid transit systems.
• Public policies and land market conditions are driving economic centers in suburban and peri-urban areas, hampering access to jobs and labour markets.
• TOD promotes compact, mixed-use development and sustainable transport modes, decoupling density from congestion and economic growth from resource use and carbon emissions.
• The impending revision of Bengaluru’s master plan provides an opportunity to set aspirational targets for jobs near transit and strategize transit network extensions.
• Improving accessibility to jobs through safe and efficient transport modes can enhance workforce productivity and participation.

Study on Job Distribution in Bengaluru Metropolitan Area

• WRI India’s study examines job distribution in the Bengaluru Metropolitan Area (BMA) and assesses job proximity and density along the city’s metro network.
• The study reveals that there are about 0.2 million registered enterprises in the BMA, employing close to 4.6 million workers, with service enterprises accounting for the bulk of it.
• Large enterprises contribute 60% of all jobs, but only constitute 2% of all enterprises.
• Average job densities are highest in inner-city areas within the Outer Ring Road (ORR) and decrease further away.
• After the completion of metro phases, 28% of the total mapped jobs in the BMA will be within 500 m of the nearest metro station.
• Service enterprises prefer to locate and cluster near the metro, especially those benefiting from enhanced catchments and accessibility for employees and customers.
• Barriers discouraging large businesses from locating near metro stations include lack of suitable properties, unfavourable development regulations, and inadequate infrastructure levels.
• Higher property prices near metro stations tend to dissuade smaller businesses more than larger established ones.
• The study suggests that the government should prioritize job densities near transit in policy-planning-regulatory frameworks, including upgrading public infrastructure and institutionalizing coordinated action to shape inclusive, low carbon, compact, and connected growth.