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Top 8 Indian Cities Hold 106 Mn Sq Ft TOD Potential

2025-09-04

India’s eight largest cities have the potential to unlock over 106 million square feet of real estate through transit-oriented development (TOD) near key transport hubs such as metro stations, railway stations, and inter-state bus terminals, according to a new report by real estate consultancy CBRE South Asia.

Delhi NCR emerged as the frontrunner with 32 million square feet of TOD potential, supported by its expanding metro networks, multiple ISBTs, and key city railway stations. This was followed by Mumbai at 20 million square feet and Chennai at 13 million square feet, as per the report titled ‘Billions in Transit: Assessing the Impact of Transit Oriented Development on Indian Cities’.

CBRE's Chairman & CEO – India, South-East Asia, Middle East & Africa, Anshuman Magazine, noted, “TOD paves the way for vibrant, mixed-use communities that are not only commercially viable but also sustainable and liveable. With continued expansion of metro systems and multimodal hubs across India’s cities, TOD will be central to shaping inclusive and future-ready urban landscapes.”

However, to realise this potential, challenges such as land acquisition, regulatory bottlenecks, financing constraints, and labour skill shortages must be addressed in a structured manner, the report added.

TOD projects are designed to combine commercial and residential spaces with pedestrian-friendly zones, cycle tracks, and seamless multimodal integration. These corridors are catalysing the growth of compact, mixed-use urban ecosystems, integrating homes, offices, retail, and leisure, while reducing commuting times and fostering sustainable expansion.

The report identified several high-potential locations for TOD:

Delhi NCR: Dwarka ISBT, Aerocity ISBT, Jewar International Airport, Sarai Rohilla, Hindon Airport
Mumbai: Bandra, Dadar, Mumbai CST, Navi Mumbai International Airport
Chennai: Chennai Airport, Maduravoyal Expressway, Chennai Peripheral Ring Road

With strategic planning and execution, these transit-linked zones offer an opportunity to reshape India’s urban landscape through efficient, accessible, and economically robust development models.

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