Mumbai: Four of the twelve stations along the route of India’s first bullet train have been shortlisted for development under the SMART or Station Area Development plan. The 508 km route from Mumbai to Ahmedabad consists of Thane, Virar, Surat and Sabarmati stations.
4 bullet train stations selected for SMART development
The plan, also called Transit Oriented Development (TOD), provides, among other things, for the commercial exploitation of areas around the station, reducing congestion and improving accessibility. The five elements under SMART include improved accessibility and reduced congestion, mixed-use development, boosting the local economy, land income generation and sustainable urban growth.
An area up to 800 meters from the station will be developed in three phases. The first phase will cover the immediate area of 200 meters around the station, for pick-up and drop-off, parking, a passenger plaza, etc. The second phase will see an improvement of the road connection to the station 200-500 meters from the station. This phase will be completed within 10 years of project completion. The third phase will see another 300 million tons developed over the next decade.
“The idea is to increase accessibility and convenience for commuters and stakeholders and promote economic activities around the stations. Two stations each from Gujarat and Maharashtra have been shortlisted by their respective state and city authorities,” said a spokesperson for the National High Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRCL), which is executing the bullet train project.
To ensure last-mile connectivity, the stations will be linked to other modes of transport such as train, metro, buses, taxis and cars. Such an interface will reduce travel time, increase accessibility and promote the use of public transport, thereby reducing urban congestion.
To commercially exploit and transform an area up to 800 meters from each station, a change in the policy framework will be required to allow for higher floor area ratio and floor area index, widening of roads, changing land use, transfer of development rights, etc. make possible. Japan International Cooperation Agency will provide technical guidance and expertise to align SMART with global practices.
India’s high-speed rail project, the country’s first, is almost half-completed. Trial runs are expected to take place between Surat and Billimora, a distance of about 50 km, in mid-2026. The 12 stations along the route are in various stages of construction.