Mumbai, April 7 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis performed the ground-breaking ceremony for India's first pod taxi project on Tuesday. This Automated Rapid Transit System, being developed between Kurla and BKC in Mumbai, aims to provide last-mile connectivity for daily commuters.
Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar were also present at the function, along with the chief minister, at the Dimond Garden metro station in Chembur.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is executing the pod taxi project between Kurla and Bandra Kurla Complex to provide last-mile connectivity to the largest business district in the financial capital.
The 8.85-km Automated Rapid Transit System (ARTS) is expected to improve last-mile connectivity when it is developed in phases, MMRDA officials said.
The project route will have 22 air-conditioned stations spaced approximately 200 meters apart, with Phase I covering a 3.36-km stretch between Bandra (East) and Kurla.
The system will connect key locations such as LBS Marg, Kalanagar, and BKC, linking the Bandra and Kurla suburban railway stations.
The driverless, AI-based pods will operate on battery power along a dedicated guideway, carrying up to six passengers at a maximum speed of 40 kmph with a headway of 15 seconds. The pods will only stop at stations selected by passengers, enabling faster and more efficient travel.
The project will be implemented on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis, without any financial burden on the state government or MMRDA, while still generating revenue for the authority.
The system will integrate with Metro Line 3 at BKC and with Metro Line 2B at ITO and IL&FS stations, strengthening the city's multi-modal transport network. A depot is planned at the RLDA plot in Bandra East to support operations.
Officials said the pod taxi system is expected to reduce traffic congestion, cut travel time, and promote eco-friendly mobility, with a projected daily ridership of over 1.09 lakh passengers by 2031.