Open Seminar held to comprehend outlooks and requirements of realtors as regards to Project-SMART
An open seminar to comprehend the outlooks and requirements of realtors as regards to Project on Station Area Development along Mumbai – Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Transport (Project-SMART) held here today.
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Experts’ Team, representatives from National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, Town and Country Planning Organisation (TCPO), Gujarat and Maharashtra State Officials, realtors and officials for private sector viz. FICCI, CREDAI and CII participated in the deliberations at the seminar.
In her opening remarks, Smt D. Thara, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs, said that the Project-SMART is a benchmark for sustainable urban development and high-speed rail transportation in the country. She said that this project will serve as a model for future developments across the country.
The Ambitious Project on The Mumbai Ahmedabad High Speed Railway (MAHSR) Corridor project has been taken by the Government of India in association with JICA with the aim to redefine urban living and transportation connectivity along the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and Ministry of Railways have signed an MoU for Technical Cooperation under the Project on ‘Station Area Development along Mumbai – Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Transport (Project-SMART)’ with JICA for developing four model HSR stations (Sabarmati, Surat in Gujarat and Virar and Thane in Maharashtra). Station area will be developed in three buffer zones around the HSR stations jointly by National High-Speed Railways Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) and respective State Governments.
Project-SMART envisages developing surrounding areas of Mumbai – Ahmedabad High Speed Railway (MAHSR) Stations to enhance accessibility and convenience of commuters & other stakeholders and to promote economic activities in the vicinity of station areas. The project would facilitate and enhance institutional capacity of State Governments, Municipal Corporations and Urban Development Authorities to plan, develop and manage surrounding areas of MAHSR stations.
The deliberations of the Seminars are expected to contribute in preparation of ‘Station Area Development Plans’ for Sabarmati, Surat, Virar and Thane HSR Stations and model handbook, containing experiences and methodologies adopted in Japan, India and other countries for Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and Station Area Development.