The Maharashtra government is aiming to enhance the usage of Metro and monorail services by introducing a new Regulation 33(23) focused on transit-oriented development (TOD) zones within the city's Development Control and Promotion Regulations - 2034. These TOD zones will be established within 500m of Metro and monorail stations, as per a government notification. To encourage affordability, the tenement size within TOD zones is set to a minimum of approximately 300 sq ft, similar to a slum rehabilitation tenement, and flats cannot be combined. This initiative aims to attract residents who can utilize these flats for their daily commute.
On February 20, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) reported 80 million ridership for Mumbai Metro Lines 2A and 7 over one year, prompting the government's notification. However, concerns about the gap between ridership estimates and actual demand have been raised. The proposed regulation suggests promoting high residential density in TOD zones, allowing a minimum floor space index (FSI) of 2.25 for a 40,000 sq ft plot, increasing to 4 FSI for a 2 lakh sq ft plot with a 9m road width. On a 27m wide road, a developer can utilize up to 7 FSI on a 2 lakh sq ft plot. FSI dictates the permissible construction on a given plot.
For the underground Colaba-BKC-Aarey Metro Line 3, plans include constructing a vestibule directly connecting to the station, facilitating easier entry and exit for commuters. Architect-activist Nitin Killawala cautioned against further densifying areas around public transport hubs in Mumbai, emphasizing the city's existing congestion. He suggested that this approach may be more suitable for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, where there are vacant spaces around Metro stations, serving as an incentive for public transport usage. Killawala highlighted the demand for residences near, but not directly in front of, stations in Mumbai, citing price differences between various station areas.