Pod Taxi To Redefine Last-Mile Connectivity In Mumbai

Fadnavis Pushes For Smart Transit Link Between Kurla And Bandra

Mumbai, Sept. 22 — With rapid urbanisation straining Mumbai’s transport systems, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced that the next step in urban mobility will be the launch of a pod taxi service. The initiative, aimed at providing last-mile connectivity, was discussed at a high-level meeting held at Sahyadri Guest House on Friday.

Fadnavis stressed that the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) business district, located between Kurla and Bandra railway stations, would be the first to benefit. The area is expected to see heavy footfall in the near future with the arrival of the bullet train station and the upcoming Mumbai High Court complex, adding pressure on already burdened transport services. “Pod taxis will ensure seamless, delay-free, and convenient transit for citizens in this critical business zone,” the Chief Minister said.

One Card For All Transport

In line with global standards, Mumbai is moving towards a single mobility card system, allowing commuters to travel across all modes of public transport with one card. Fadnavis directed that the pod taxi network must also be integrated into this unified payment system.

The plan also includes redevelopment around Kurla and Bandra stations. Police quarters near Kurla station will be shifted to make way for the project, while buildings in BKC will be directly linked to pod taxi stations for easy access.

Global-Standard Transit For BKC

Highlighting the commercial importance of BKC, Fadnavis insisted the project must deliver world-class service. He also suggested utilising existing skywalks more effectively through better urban design concepts, ensuring smoother pedestrian movement.

The meeting was attended by Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, MMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee, Additional Chief Secretary (Transport) Sanjay Sethi, Additional Chief Secretary (Urban Development) Asim Kumar Gupta, and Principal Secretary (Home) Anup Kumar Singh, among others. Presentations were made by MMRDA and the police department outlining the feasibility and implementation roadmap.

If implemented successfully, the project will mark Mumbai’s entry into next-generation smart urban transit, offering a futuristic alternative to traffic congestion and ensuring a sustainable model for last-mile connectivity.