Mumbai: The city of Mira-Bhayander, located on the outskirts of Mumbai, is set to introduce a highly convenient and cost-effective transport option in the form of air taxis in the near future.
In a recent announcement, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik confirmed that the necessary permissions and surveys for the project have been granted by the Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation, which is expected to pave the way for the project’s launch.
Minister Sarnaik expressed confidence that air taxis would be a successful alternative to alleviate the traffic congestion that the city faces due to its growing population, which now exceeds a million.
"As road transportation faces numerous limitations in the future, the air taxi initiative will prove to be a practical solution," he said. Furthermore, with Mira-Bhayander city set to be connected by the metro system in December, air taxis will provide an excellent connectivity option for commuters.
The region, known for its scenic coastal areas like Uttan, historical landmarks such as the Ghodbunder Fort, and developing projects like the Kandolwan Park along the Ghodbunder Creek, is seeing an influx of new developments. The introduction of air taxis is expected to further enhance the city’s infrastructure.
The air taxi project draws inspiration from the pilot project launched in Vadodara, Gujarat, under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari.
The idea was brought to the attention of Minister Sarnaik by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who directed the implementation of a similar project in the Thane and Mira-Bhayander areas. Sarnaik personally visited Gujarat to observe the project and took the initiative to replicate it in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
Currently, JP Infrastructure has been allotted space for the project, which is anticipated to play a crucial role in shaping the future transportation system of the city. Minister Pratap Sarnaik emphasized that this project would be an important contribution to Mira-Bhayander’s transport and development landscape.
