Palghar: In a major development aimed at revolutionizing urban transportation, Mira-Bhayandar is set to welcome a futuristic pod taxi service. Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced that all necessary permissions and survey clearances have been granted to the concerned agency by the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC).
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Sarnaik expressed confidence that the project would soon be operational, offering a fast, affordable, and futuristic alternative to traditional modes of transport. With the city’s population having crossed the one-million mark and increasing strain on road infrastructure, the pod taxi initiative is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion.
“Given the limitations of road transport and the city’s growing connectivity needs, especially with the upcoming metro line scheduled to be operational by this December, pod taxis will offer an excellent last-mile connectivity solution,” said Sarnaik.
MBMC has officially granted permission to Nutran EV Mobility to conduct a pre-feasibility survey for the proposed Futran Elevated Transport System in the Mira-Bhayandar region. The survey is permitted under specific terms and conditions, emphasizing that the work must be carried out entirely at the company's own expense. The survey will be conducted under the supervision of the Public Works Department (PWD) and may require route adjustments as per MBMC's recommendations.
Notably, no road excavation will be allowed without prior approval, and the company is responsible for notifying and coordinating with utility service providers to prevent any service disruptions. The studies are anticipated to begin by May 1 2025, with a planned completion timeline of approximately 8-10 weeks thereafter.
The MBMC also outlined key operational and safety protocols, emphasizing the need to prevent disruptions to vehicular traffic, protect existing public infrastructure, comply with all safety regulations, and secure necessary approvals from relevant authorities such as the police, forest department, and district administration.
About The Pod Taxi Initiative
The pod taxi initiative is inspired by a pilot project launched in Vadodara, Gujarat, under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and with guidance from Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari. Following directives from Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Minister Sarnaik visited the Futran Experience Centre of Nutran EV Mobility in the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Vadodara and decided to replicate a similar model in Thane and Mira-Bhayandar.
A designated site near JP Infrastructure in Mira-Bhayandar has been selected for the project’s deployment.
How Does It Work?
The pod taxi system is a high-efficiency, elevated transit solution designed to operate smoothly above existing roadways. Each pod runs on a dedicated track elevated six meters above the ground, supported by compact pillars that occupy minimal space, less than one square meter in width, making it easy to install even in dense urban areas.
Powered by electric motors and onboard battery systems, each pod can carry up to 20 passengers and travels at speeds between 60 to 70 km/h. The system is fully automated and operates 24/7, offering continuous, on-demand service.
Advanced safety technologies are built in, including an onboard collision avoidance system and a minimum 25-meter following distance between pods. Its compact station design and small turning radius make it highly adaptable to a variety of locations, including metro station linkages and high-density corridors.
With the capacity to move over 15,000 passengers per hour in each direction, the pod taxi system offers a scalable and sustainable mobility solution for the future of urban transportation.
The Mira-Bhayandar region, known for its scenic coastal stretches such as Uttan, the historical Ghodbunder Fort, and the developing mangrove park near Ghodbunder Creek, is already witnessing rapid infrastructural growth. The pod taxi service will add to this list of transformative projects, further enhancing the city’s urban landscape. The system is expected to offer seamless integration with the existing metro network, helping connect key origin and destination points and relieving congestion in densely populated zones.
