Training Programme on TOD and MMI for Transport Agencies in Bengaluru

The city of Bengaluru developed a new model for sustainable redevelopment and growth with technical assistance (TA) from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). This initiative included the expansion of the metro system and the implementation of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) and Multimodal Integration (MMI).

To support this effort, ADB and the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) collaborated with CEPT Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) to conduct capacity-building programs for Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) and other transport agencies in the city. The objective was to enhance institutional capacity for planning, designing, and supervising the implementation of TOD and MMI.

As part of this initiative, CRDF prepared a manual titled "Planning, Design, and Implementation of Multimodal Integration and Transit-Oriented Development for Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL)" in 2020.

The capacity-building workshops were structured into three modules, delivered annually from 2021 onwards, using a practice-oriented approach with hands-on exercises customised for Bengaluru:

• Module 1 (14th–24th September & 12th–22nd October 2021) focused on familiarising the participants with a thorough understanding of the strategies and principles of TOD and MMI. This enabled them to analyse existing situations, identify problem areas, and focus on main elements to consider while planning.

• Module 2 (7th–12th November 2022) aimed to enable the participants to undertake the basics of planning TOD and a segment of planning and implementation of MMI by themselves. The intention of the module was to equip participants with knowledge regarding “what to do” and “how to proceed” while planning TOD and MMI. The MMI section included two pillars: physical and network and service integration.

• Module 3 (21st–25th August 2023) focused on helping the participants to undertake the implementation of TOD and plan and implement the remaining segment of MMI in their cities. This segment included the other three pillars: information, fare, and Institutional integration. The objective of the module was to equip them to work together with consultants, understand what is being done, tackle barriers, and manage the projects.

Each module was attended by around 35 delegates from DULT and BMRCL and nearly 15 other agencies including Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) representing an administrative body, followed by planning organisations such as Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT), Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA), Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP); transport organisations such as Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL), Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), Hubballi-Dharwad Bus Rapid Transit System (HDBRTS),  Karnataka Rail Infrastructure Development Company Limited (K-Ride) and Southwestern Railway; other infrastructure agencies such as Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM), Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB); and Road Safety Cell from Transport Department.