Exciting news is on the horizon for Mumbai commuters! Soon, you'll be able to hop on driverless pod taxis traveling between Bandra and Kurla. The Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) has given the green light for this innovative transportation service in the bustling Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) area, aiming to ease the heavy traffic there.
Recently, the Maharashtra government unveiled plans for these pod taxis to improve transportation to the Bandra-Kurla Complex, a major business hub in Mumbai. The MMRDA has approved the pod taxi service along an 8.8 km route connecting the Bandra and Kurla railway stations. These pod taxis will accommodate up to six passengers each and travel at a speed of 40 km per hour, with stops at 38 locations along the route. The project will be a collaboration between the public and private sectors, enhancing commuting convenience for travelers between the railway stations and BKC.
The pod taxi service will cover over 8 km between Bandra and Kurla railway stations, with 38 designated stops. Initially estimated at INR 50 crore per km in 2017, the project's current projected cost is INR 1,018 crores. Plans also include establishing a depot within BKC spanning 5,000 sq m, with ticket prices to be announced soon.
These pod taxis, measuring 3.5 m in length, 1.47 m in width, and 1.8 m in height, will provide a unique public transport solution for Mumbai residents. While already operational in other countries, the introduction of pod taxis in Mumbai is poised to revolutionize local public transportation.
In addition to Mumbai's plans, the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) has approved a INR 810-crore project featuring pod taxis in Sector 21. These pod taxis, also known as Personal Rapid Transit (PRT), offer a novel transportation system using small, driverless vehicles for limited passengers or cargo.
