Mumbai has initiated the development of its Automated Rapid Transit System (ARTS), commonly referred to as the pod taxi, aimed at enhancing last-mile connectivity in the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC).
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently officiated the groundbreaking ceremony, with Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar in attendance. Fadnavis announced that all necessary approvals have been secured.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority is overseeing the project through a public-private partnership with Sai Green Mobility Private Limited and Ultra PRT, which has successfully implemented a similar system at Heathrow Airport in London.
The PPP model ensures there will be no direct financial burden on the state government or MMRDA, and the project is forecasted to generate revenue.
Route, stations and integration
The complete network is envisioned to span approximately 8.85 km between Bandra (East) and Kurla, developed in phases, with the initial phase covering a 3.36 km section between Bandra (East) and Kurla Terminal.
The corridor will feature 22 air-conditioned stations situated approximately 200 metres apart. Key stops will include LBS Marg, Kalanagar, MMRDA Pay and Park, Bharat Diamond Bourse Gate 11, the Old MMRDA building, and the Excise Department. Earlier proposals included more stations, but this has now been streamlined to 22.
The system will connect Bandra and Kurla suburban railway stations, facilitating access throughout BKC. It will integrate with Metro Line 3 at BKC and Metro Line 2B at ITO and IL&FS stations. A depot is planned on an RLDA site in Bandra East.
Technology, operations and fares
The pod taxi system will be a driverless, AI-driven personal rapid transit network utilizing battery-operated pods on an elevated guideway. Each pod is designed to accommodate up to six passengers and will operate at a maximum speed of 40 km/h.
Pods will be available at intervals of approximately 15 seconds, stopping only at stations chosen by passengers. Operations will be supervised from a central control room, and the system is touted as zero-carbon.
The estimated fare is around ₹21 per kilometre, based on a 2022 analysis. Officials anticipate annual fare increases of up to approximately 4%.
Fadnavis stated, “A person getting off either from the metro or a suburban train will not need to switch to another mode of public transport thereafter. They can reach within a distance of 100 to 150 metres by this pod taxi.”
He remarked that the project would “completely decongest the BKC” and noted that similar systems could be implemented elsewhere upon success. An MMRDA official commented, “The Pod Taxi will revolutionize the way people navigate within BKC.”
Cost, timeline and impact
The estimated cost for the project stands at around ₹1,016 crore. The initial phase is projected to be completed within 10 to 20 months, according to various official statements. The entire project is anticipated to take about three years, with operations aimed to commence around 2027, while long-term projections extend to 2031.
The system is expected to accommodate over 1.09 lakh passengers daily by 2031, with projections indicating that this number might increase further by 2041. Currently, BKC experiences between 4 lakh and 6 lakh daily visitors.
Officials assert that the system aims to lessen reliance on autos, taxis, and buses for short trips within BKC, reducing travel times and alleviating congestion.
The project has obtained clearance from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority; however, it entails clearing 0.14 hectares of mangroves and the felling of 431 trees, with portions of the alignment traversing coastal regulation zones. Environmental groups have expressed concerns regarding the potential impact.
Plans associated with the project also include future tunnel connections in BKC. One proposed tunnel would link the Bandra-Worli Sea Link to the BKC metro and the forthcoming bullet train station, with further extensions towards Kurla and the airport, along with a potential future connection to the Coastal Road.
