Mumbai is set to get a driverless pod taxi system in Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), aimed at easing last-mile congestion by connecting the business district with Bandra and Kurla railway stations through an elevated corridor.
The plan, approved by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), is designed to serve an estimated 4 lakh to 6 lakh daily commuters who travel to and from BKC, where traffic pressure is expected to rise further because of upcoming projects including the bullet train corridor and new commercial developments.
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Here is how the system is expected to work
The pods will run on an elevated track with 38 stations, moving at up to 40 kmph and carrying around six passengers each. According to MMRDA, the vehicles will be fully autonomous and scheduled at intervals of 15 to 30 seconds, which officials say makes them suitable for the narrow roads linking BKC with the two suburban railway stations. The elevated design is also meant to keep road space below free for regular traffic.
The project was approved at an estimated cost of about Rs 1,017 crore and will be implemented under a public-private partnership model.
MMRDA has appointed Sai Green Mobility Private Limited as the concessionaire, with Ultra PRT as the technology partner, and the operating period is planned for 30 years.
As per officials, techno-economic feasibility study recommended a fare of Rs 21 per km, with a 4% annual increase, though the final fare will be notified later.
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Officials say the project is aimed at reducing the dependence on autos, cabs and buses for short trips between the stations and offices in BKC, where daily travel demand is high and road space is limited.
If completed on schedule, the pod taxi corridor could become Mumbai's first major test case for using compact, automated transit to solve last-mile congestion in a dense business hub.
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