Ashwini Bhide says coordinated development around metro stations can increase ridership and improve mobility

Planned development around metro stations can encourage more people to use public transport, improve daily commuting and support long-term economic growth, Ashwini Bhide , Managing Director of the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation and Municipal Commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, said on Saturday.

Speaking at the 19th Urban Mobility India Conference in Bhubaneswar, Bhide highlighted the importance of coordinating transport infrastructure with urban development to improve mobility and ensure sustainable growth in cities.

She was chairing a session on land use and transport beyond city limits, where discussions focused on the need to align urban expansion with public transport networks and improve planning across administrative boundaries.

Bhide outlined Maharashtra's efforts to promote transit-oriented development, a planning approach that encourages housing, commercial establishments and essential services near public transport facilities.

She said the policy had been introduced in Nagpur and Pune. In Mumbai , a policy encouraging higher-density development within approximately 500 metres of underground metro stations has also been implemented.