The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) plans to appoint an independent engineer to oversee construction quality and monitor the execution of the proposed 8.85-km Automated Rapid Transit System (POD Taxi) between Kurla and Bandra.
The engineer will be selected through a tender process and will operate independently of both MMRDA and the agency implementing the project. The appointed agency will monitor construction activities, assess progress and ensure adherence to prescribed quality and technical standards. Any shortcomings or deviations identified during the project will be reported to the concerned authorities.
The POD Taxi system is being developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, without financial investment from the state government or MMRDA. However, the authority is expected to generate revenue from the system once it becomes operational.
The project will feature 22 air-conditioned stations, with an average spacing of around 200 metres. Phase-I will cover 3.36 km between Kurla and Bandra and include eight stations: Kurla Terminal, LBS Marg, MMRDA Pay & Park – G Block, BDB Gate-11, Bandra (East) Terminal, Kalanagar, Old MMRDA Building and Excise Department.
The elevated system is designed to provide first- and last-mile connectivity to Kurla and Bandra railway stations while improving access to the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC).
The network will use battery-powered, AI-enabled driverless pods operating on a dedicated guideway at speeds of up to 40 kmph. Each pod will accommodate six passengers and operate at a planned 15-second frequency. Passengers will be able to select their destination, allowing pods to skip intermediate stations.
The system will connect with Metro Line 3 at BKC Metro station and Metro Line 2B at ITO and IL&FS stations. A depot is also planned on an RLDA plot in Bandra East.
The project is expected to serve nearly 1.09 lakh riders daily by 2031, with a proposed fare of Rs 21 per km based on 2022 rates. Designed as a zero-carbon mobility solution, it aims to ease congestion, reduce travel time and strengthen public transport connectivity across Kurla, Bandra and BKC.
Source: The Free Press Journal
