Pune: The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) and MahaMetro are not on the same page in terms of allowing more people to stay along the Metro routes as part of the Transit Oriented Development policy.PMRDA wants “dense living” along the transit corridors of the Hinjewadi-Shivajinagar Metro route within a distance of 500m. MahaMetro has proposed development near the 31 stations of the two Metro lines — Vanaz to Ramwadi and Swargate to Pimpri.Both are now awaiting the Centre’s final approval to the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) to know the fate of their proposals. The urban development department had issued the TOD policy and it was extended to Pune to promote densification along the mass transit corridors.“We have proposed TOD along the route. This will allow the citizens to stay close to Metro and make the project more feasible. The same arrangement has been proposed for the ring road,” PMRDA commissioner Kiran Gitte told TOI.For MahaMetro, TOD has been proposed only near 31 stations. MahaMetro managing director Brijesh Dixit said, “The routes we are implementing pass through the city that is already high on development. It’s impossible to suggest TOD along the entire route.”Former state urban secretary TC Benjamin said TOD in and around the Metro stations might be convenient for the commuters. He said, “Dense development along the Metro corridor will also be counter-productive and put additional burden on the urban infrastructure. What about water and waste management along these corridors?”Mobility expert Harshad Abhyankar said the idea to allow people live and work near “high-quality public transport” system was good, but the authorities should keep in mind the “acceptable walking distance” as well.

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