by|arvind jadhav
Mumbai: The proposed pod taxi project in Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla City (BKC) has encountered an environmental obstacle. Despite concerns about viability and environmental impact, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is pushing forward with the project. The authority has approached the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change seeking forest clearance, as the planned route runs close to sensitive mangrove zones.
The MMRDA has decided to appoint an independent engineering firm to supervise the technical and design aspects of the pod taxi project. The selected company will review the design, recommend changes, audit progress, and verify adherence to safety and technical standards. A team of 18 engineers with experience in transportation systems and automation technologies will be deployed to ensure rigorous technical compliance.
The pod taxi network will feature 38 stations and offer high-frequency services, with pods arriving every 15 to 30 seconds. A complete trip across the network is expected to cost around Rs 105, offering a modern, efficient alternative for office-goers and daily commuters. The project aims to transform last-mile connectivity in the high-density commercial belt linking Kurla, Bandra East, and BKC.
The project is part of MMRDA’s larger Rs 1.2 lakh crore infrastructure push in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. If successful, the pod taxi could become a model for intra-city urban mobility in India. However, its implementation hinges on securing environmental clearances and public confidence.
