Four key bullet train stations to become activity hubs under SMART Development Plan

As part of the SMART initiative, these stations will be integrated with metro, bus, and taxi services, enabling passengers to easily switch between modes of transport.

This integration is expected to cut down travel time, reduce urban congestion, and lower emissions by promoting public transportation.

Improved accessibility and convenience are central to the SMART development, making travel hassle-free for commuters. To support the economic growth around these stations, the project follows Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) principles.

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 walkable distances.

The aim is to create vibrant, self-sustaining urban ecosystems that will encourage local businesses, create jobs, and contribute to the regional economy.

“In order to enhance accessibility and convenience of commuters, stakeholders and to promote economic activities around the stations, the surrounding areas of Bullet Train stations are planned to be developed in accordance with the policies of TOD,” said National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHRCL) in their official statement.

This development is a collaborative effort involving Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Ministry of Railways, and the state governments of Gujarat and Maharashtra, with technical expertise from Japan’s International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Initially, the focus will be on creating infrastructure to meet immediate commuter needs. The first stage of development involves setting up pickup and drop-off points, parking, and passenger plazas around each station.
Moving forward, development will expand to areas within 500 meters of each station. This will require adjustments to local planning, such as changes in city master plans, local policies, and infrastructure improvements like widening roads, officials said.

Each station is designed to reflect its city’s unique culture and identity, giving residents a sense of pride and ownership in the country’s first high-speed rail system.

Over the next decade, the TOD project will extend its reach up to 800 meters from each station, based on the city’s broader urban vision. These long-term plans will aim to utilise high-speed rail connectivity as a catalyst for sustainable urban growth, ultimately creating liveable neighbourhoods around each station.

Division of 800m area

Bullet Train Station: The responsibility for the development of the bullet train station and this surrounding area will lie entirely with the NHSRCL. This includes the pickup and drop-off area around the bullet train station, parking, the passenger plaza, and connections to existing infrastructure.

Area 2

Within 10 years of the bullet train stations becoming operational, city authorities will be responsible for improving road connectivity to the station area, along with developing support infrastructure around the station.

Area 3

This area will be developed over the next 10 to 20 years by the state government and urban development and city planning authorities following the start of the bullet train station’s operation.