Mumbai to have India’s first pod taxi

India’s first pod taxi will run in the financial capital of Mumbai.

To be developed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the project, which is expected to improve last-mile connectivity within the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC).

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the driverless pod taxi project, an Automated Rapid Transit System (ARTS).

Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar were also present.

The 8.85-km ARTS is expected to boost last-mile connectivity when developed in phases.

The project route will have 22 air-conditioned stations spaced at intervals of about 200 metres, with Phase I covering a 3.36-km stretch between Bandra East and Kurla.

The system will connect key locations such as Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, Kalanagar, and BKC, linking Bandra and Kurla West suburban railway stations.

The driverless, AI-based pods will run on battery power along a dedicated guideway.