A major new transport project has gained momentum in the Mumbai metropolitan region (MMR). The Maharashtra government has sanctioned India’s inaugural pod-taxi network, linking Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Mira-Bhayandar.
In a recent meeting chaired by Deputy chief minister and urban development minister Eknath Shinde recently, he instructed the authority to conduct detailed surveys in the three municipal corporation areas and submit a report within a month.
The proposed system will be run on a public-private partnership model and is expected to ease the growing traffic congestion in these rapidly developing metropolitan areas.
Under this scheme, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) will act as the implementing agency. A consultant has already been appointed to survey the three cities and prepare a feasibility report.
According to sources, the service will be an automated Pod Taxi network. The service will provide better connectivity on major roads.
The pod-taxi system — a driverless, cable-operated variant of personal rapid transit — will be integrated with metro and road transport systems to improve last-mile connectivity throughout the Mumbai metropolitan area.
The initial survey has been completed and interested private companies are now being invited to submit detailed technical and financial proposals for the project. The announcement has been welcomed by residents and commuters of the region.
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