Four of the 12 stations on India’s first railway line, connecting Mumbai and Ahmedabad, have been selected for focussed development under the SMART (Station Area Development) programme.
These stations – Virar and Thane in Maharashtra and Sabarmati and Surat in Gujarat – will be transformed into functional hubs aimed at creating smooth connectivity and modern amenities for travelers and surrounding communities.
As part of the SMART program, these stations will be integrated with the metro, buses, and taxis, enabling passengers to easily switch between modes of transportation.
This integration is expected to reduce travel time, reduce congestion in cities, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by promoting public transportation.
Improved accessibility and convenience are at the heart of the SMART development, making travel hassle-free for passengers. To support economic growth at these stations, the project follows the principles of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD).
Under TOD, the areas surrounding each station will be developed with a mix of land uses, including offices, hotels, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities, all within walking distance.
The goal is to create healthy, sustainable urban ecosystems that will promote local businesses, create jobs, and contribute to the regional economy.
“To improve accessibility and convenience for passengers, stakeholders and to promote economic activities around the stations, the surrounding areas of Bullet Train stations are planned to be developed in accordance with TOD policies,” said the National High Speed ​​Rail Corporation Limited (NHRCL) in their official statement. .
The development is a collaborative effort involving the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the Ministry of Railways, and the state governments of Gujarat and Maharashtra, with technical expertise from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Initially, the focus will be on creating infrastructure to meet passenger needs immediately. The first phase of development includes setting up pick-up and drop-off areas, parking, and passenger plazas near each station.
Going forward, the development will extend to areas within 500 meters of each station. This will require local planning reforms, such as changes in the city’s master plans, local policies, and infrastructure improvements such as road widening, officials said.
Each station is designed to reflect the culture and identity of its unique city, giving residents a sense of pride and ownership in the country’s first high-speed rail system.
Over the next ten years, the TOD project will extend its reach up to 800 meters from each station, based on a broader vision of the city. These long-term plans will aim to use high-speed rail as a catalyst for sustainable urban growth, eventually creating neighborhoods around each station.
800m area separation
Main train station: The responsibility for the development of the bullet train station and its surroundings will rest entirely with NHSRCL. These include a pick-up and drop-off area near the bullet train station, parking, a passenger plaza, and connectivity to existing infrastructure.
Location 2
Within 10 years of the main train stations starting to operate, the city authorities will be responsible for improving the road connections in the station area, as well as developing the supporting infrastructure of the station.
Location 3
The area will be developed over the next 10 to 20 years by the state government and urban development and urban planning authorities following the start of the railway station project.