The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) recently held a high-level workshop at its Bandra-Kurla Complex headquarters to accelerate Station Area Development under the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) Corridor, part of Project-SMART. The workshop focused on strengthening technical collaboration between the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

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The MAHSR corridor includes 12 stations, with four BKC, Thane, Virar, and Boisar located in Maharashtra. Thane and Virar have been designated as priority stations under Project-SMART. Detailed development plans for these stations are being prepared to ensure that the high-speed rail infrastructure supports sustainable and planned urban growth in the region.

JICA experts shared international best practices from Japan, covering Transit Oriented Development, Land Value Capture, Integrated Transport Planning, Environmental Sustainability, Stakeholder Engagement, and Private Sector Participation in station area regeneration. MMRDA’s urban planning team collaborated closely with JICA experts to discuss the Thane and Virar Station Area Development Plans, reviewing the planning framework, implementation roadmap, and inter-institutional coordination for upcoming phases.

Following the workshop, Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee, IAS, Metropolitan Commissioner of MMRDA, held a detailed review meeting with officials from MMRDA, Thane, Virar, National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), and JICA. He instructed the teams to prepare Integrated Station Area Development Plans aligned with High-Speed Rail Development Principles, emphasizing Transit Oriented Development norms, land value capture policies, and seamless multi-modal transport integration. He further directed that these planning experiences be extended to BKC and Boisar stations, aiming to transform them into major development hubs within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

The initiative reflects MMRDA’s continued commitment to developing the Mumbai Metropolitan Region as a global-standard, sustainable, and transport-centric urban hub.

FAQ

1. What is the focus of Project-SMART under the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor?

Project-SMART (Station Area Master Planning and Regional Transformation) is aimed at planning and developing urban areas around stations of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor. The focus is on sustainable urban growth, multi-modal connectivity, and creating strategic development hubs at station areas, ensuring the high-speed rail not only improves transport but also catalyzes regional development.

2. Which stations in Maharashtra are part of this initiative?

The corridor includes 12 stations, of which Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), Thane, Virar, and Boisar are located in Maharashtra. Thane and Virar have been prioritized for detailed development planning, while BKC and Boisar will adopt similar frameworks once the pilot station plans are refined.

3. How is international expertise being leveraged?

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is collaborating with MMRDA to share international best practices in Transit Oriented Development (TOD), Land Value Capture, multi-modal transport integration, environmental sustainability, stakeholder engagement, and private sector participation. Their input guides station area design and urban development strategy.

4. What are the key principles guiding station area development?

The station area development plans emphasize:

• Transit-Oriented Development (TOD): Compact, walkable neighborhoods centered around stations.
  
   


• Land Value Capture (LVC): Leveraging increased property values around stations to fund infrastructure.
  
   


• Multi-modal integration: Seamless connection between high-speed rail, metro, buses, and last-mile transport.
  
   


• Sustainability: Environmentally friendly urban design and green infrastructure.
  
   

5. What role does MMRDA play in this initiative?

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) leads the planning and coordination, engaging with NHSRCL, MoHUA, local authorities, and JICA. MMRDA’s team prepares Integrated Station Area Development Plans, sets implementation roadmaps, and ensures that planning for Thane and Virar is replicated at BKC and Boisar stations.

6. What is the expected impact of Project-SMART on the Mumbai Metropolitan Region?

By transforming station areas into modern, sustainable urban hubs, Project-SMART aims to:

Enhance regional connectivity and transport efficiency.

Promote planned urban growth and real estate development.

Attract private sector investment and stimulate economic activity.

Improve livability and sustainability, creating transit-centered, climate-resilient neighborhoods.