As experts question, MMRDA seeks clearance for BKC project near mangroves; MMRDA claims the project will revolutionise last-mile connectivity in BKC — catering to the 4 to 6 lakh commuters who travel in and out of the business district daily
The track of the proposed project will run alongside the Indian Oil headquarters in Bandra East. Pic/Satej Shinde
Even as several transport experts urge a rethink on the upcoming pod taxi project in Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has moved ahead — approaching the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for forest clearance. The automated pod taxi route runs close to mangrove forests, making the clearance mandatory before any construction can begin.
In September 2024, at its 282nd executive committee meeting chaired by the chief secretary, MMRDA approved the appointment of M/s Sai Green Mobility Private Limited as the concessionaire to develop, construct, test, commission, operate, and maintain the Automated Rapid Transit System (Pod Taxi) in BKC. The company has partnered with M/s Ultra PRT, a technology provider known for implementing the pod taxi system at Heathrow Airport in London.
MMRDA claims the project will revolutionise last-mile connectivity in BKC — catering to the 4 to 6 lakh commuters who travel in and out of the business district daily. With future developments like the bullet train terminal and new commercial complexes, the agency argues that the demand for quick, efficient last-mile transport will only grow.
However, the project has faced considerable pushback from some transport analysts, urban mobility experts, and concerned Mumbaikars. Critics have flagged high costs, uncertain viability, and environmental concerns as red flags. In its official press release issued in September, MMRDA defended the initiative, stating that the system — being fully autonomous and running at a high frequency of one pod every 15 to 30 seconds — is ideal for the narrow lanes that link BKC to Bandra and Kurla suburban stations.
“The decision to implement the pod taxi system follows a comprehensive Techno-Economic Feasibility Study (TEFS), peer-reviewed by M/s Tata Consulting Engineers,” the release stated. “The study explored technologies across the world and found the pod system most suited for BKC’s topography and future traffic growth.”
MMRDA also disclosed that the fares for the pod taxi system have been scientifically determined through preference surveys of current auto and bus users. At present, commuters pay approximately Rs 15.33 per km by auto, Rs 30–40 in shared autos, Rs 18.67 per km by taxi, and dynamic rates between Rs 80 and Rs 100 via ride-hailing apps like Ola and Uber.
The surveys revealed that nearly 70 per cent of auto users and 36 per cent of bus users were willing to pay Rs 21 per km for a faster, dedicated pod taxi service. The TEFS study, therefore, recommended a base fare of Rs 21 per km, with an annual 4 per cent hike to offset inflation and operational costs. MMRDA will officially notify the rates during the "conditions precedent" phase of the project.
The Rs 1016.34 crore project — approved during MMRDA’s 156th Authority Meeting on March 6, 2024 — is being implemented on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) basis. The model includes a 3-year construction period and a 30-year concession window, with fixed concession fees and revenue-sharing provisions for MMRDA.
As previously reported by mid-day, the pod taxi network will feature 38 closely spaced stations in BKC, aimed at connecting nearly every major commercial building in the district.
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