12 June,2026 07:41 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The Pod Taxi system is expected to provide an alternative mode of urban transport. Representational Pic/File
The much-awaited Pod Taxi project in Mumbai has received all the necessary approvals, and work on the project has officially commenced, according to Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) Commissioner Dr Sanjay Mukherjee.
Speaking about efforts to ease congestion in the city, Dr Mukherjee said that the project has now moved into the implementation stage, with geotechnical investigations currently underway.
The Pod Taxi system is expected to provide an alternative mode of urban transport and support ongoing efforts to reduce traffic congestion in key parts of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
Officials believe the project will complement existing public transport networks and contribute to faster, more efficient urban mobility.
The initiative forms part of broader plans to improve connectivity and ease pressure on Mumbai's busy road network. Once completed, the Pod Taxi system is expected to offer commuters a modern, sustainable and technology-driven transport option.
Dr Mukherjee said preliminary groundwork activities have begun, marking a significant milestone for the project after securing the required clearances.
Earlier, in April, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had performed the groundbreaking ceremony for India's first pod taxi project in Mumbai. The Automated Rapid Transit System will connect Kurla with the Bandra Kurla Complex, aiming to strengthen last-mile connectivity for daily commuters travelling to the city's key business hub.
The project is being executed by the MMRDA. The full corridor will span 8.85 kilometres and will be developed in phases to ensure smooth implementation.
The officials had earlier stated that the first phase will cover a 3.36-kilometre stretch between Bandra East and Kurla. The route will connect important locations such as LBS Marg, Kalanagar, and Bandra Kurla Complex, while also linking suburban railway stations at Bandra and Kurla, improving access for commuters across different parts of the city.
The system will use driverless, technology-enabled pods that run on battery power along a dedicated elevated track. Each pod will accommodate up to six passengers and operate at a maximum speed of 40 kilometres per hour.
A total of 22 air-conditioned stations will be constructed along the route, spaced at regular intervals of around 200 metres. The system is designed to improve efficiency, with pods stopping only at selected stations based on passenger choice, reducing unnecessary delays. With a frequency of one pod every 15 seconds, the service aims to provide quick and convenient travel.
