• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Mumbai Pod Taxi: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday announced that Mumbai will soon introduce pod taxi services to ease pressure on the city’s transport network and improve last-mile connectivity.

Mumbai: Kurla- Bandra Pod Taxi

The pilot stretch has been planned between Kurla and Bandra, two of Mumbai’s busiest railway stations. The route is expected to see a sharp rise in commuter traffic with the upcoming Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) bullet train station and the new Mumbai High Court complex.

ALSO READ: Man Reaches Home From Mumbai At 3 Am, Desi Mom Asks Him To Clean Fan And Fix Curtain In Viral Video, Internet Can’t Stop Laughing

The BKC station will be the only underground stop on the 508-kilometre Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train corridor and will have six platforms. Alongside, a new High Court building is being constructed on 30 acres in Bandra East, with 75 courtrooms, to decongest the present facility at Fort.

Fadnavis said pod taxis will be connected to the common mobility card system that Mumbai is developing to integrate all modes of transport. He directed officials to upgrade the Kurla and Bandra station precincts and ensure that buildings in BKC are linked to the network.

What Are Pod Taxis?

Pod taxis are part of the Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system. They are small, driverless, electric vehicles that run on dedicated tracks, usually elevated and carry 2–6 passengers. Passengers can book a pod on demand, similar to a taxi.

Because pods travel on exclusive tracks, they bypass road congestion and are particularly effective for short to medium trips in crowded urban areas, airports or business hubs.

Mumbai Pod Taxi: Benefits And Challenges

Pod taxis are considered energy-efficient, reduce traffic on city roads and provide quick, point-to-point travel. However, they require heavy investment in infrastructure such as elevated tracks and stations. They are best suited for limited passenger loads and cannot replace high-capacity systems like buses or metro trains.

ALSO READ: Mumbai Rains Today: IMD Puts City On Yellow Alert For Heavy Downpour, Thunderstorms; Local Trains Face Delays

Pod Taxis Worldwide And In India

Globally, Masdar City in the UAE and Heathrow Airport in London already use pod taxi systems. In India, proposals have been made earlier in Amritsar and Gurugram, but the Mumbai project will be among the first to be taken forward.

Officials said detailed planning and feasibility studies are underway before work begins on the corridor.