No More Walking On Roads: Pod Taxi Service Soon In Mumbai
No More Walking On Roads: Pod Taxi Service Soon In Mumbai
Thane, August 7, 2025: In a major boost to futuristic urban mobility, Mira-Bhayandar is all set to introduce pod taxi services in the coming years, potentially offering relief from traffic congestion and transforming daily commutes. The pod taxi project, considered a significant advancement after the metro, will operate on elevated tracks, separating it from regular road traffic, thereby improving speed, safety, and efficiency.
According to State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, the advanced transportation system is being planned in collaboration with Neutron EV, which has already begun survey work in Mira-Bhayandar since April. A detailed report was recently presented under the minister’s leadership.
Sarnaik said, “Under the leadership of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, development projects worth ₹1,800 crore were approved for the overall growth of Mira-Bhayandar. Of this, ₹900 crore was allocated exclusively for road repairs. In line with these projects, an important meeting was held today at the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) headquarters. A detailed review of 26 projects was conducted during the meeting, including the Pod Taxi initiative.”
Following the launch of the pod taxi project in Vadodara, Gujarat, Mira-Bhayandar will become the second city in the country to implement this futuristic transport system. With the city’s population rapidly increasing, the primary goal is to provide fast, safe, and eco-friendly transportation options. What makes the project especially noteworthy is that it will be developed without any financial burden on the municipal corporation or the state government. The groundbreaking ceremony is expected to take place by the end of the year, added Sarnaik.
As per the report, there is a growing need to connect key areas of the city—spanning 33 km—to metro and railway stations. The first phase of the project will cover a 14-km route from JP Infra to Golden Nest. The total estimated cost of the project is around ₹1,000 crore, but since it will be executed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, there will be no financial burden on the state government or the municipal corporation.
Pending necessary approvals from the state government, construction is expected to begin by March 2026 and complete within two years. Transport Minister Sarnaik highlighted that this project will be a milestone in the region’s infrastructure development.
What is a Pod Taxi?
A pod taxi is a small, driverless, electric vehicle that runs on an elevated track. Each pod can typically carry 4 to 8 passengers. As it operates independently of road traffic, it significantly reduces congestion. Environment-friendly and time-saving, pod taxis are emerging as a fast, safe, and smart urban transport solution.
