A futuristic shift in urban mobility is taking shape in Mumbai, as the city takes a major step toward introducing driverless pod taxis.
The foundation stone for the Automated Rapid Transit System (ARTS) was laid on April 8, 2026, at Bandra-Kurla Complex. The 8.85-km elevated corridor will connect Bandra (East) and Kurla, aiming to improve first- and last-mile connectivity and reduce congestion in one of the city’s busiest business districts.
Led by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, the project will feature driverless, battery-powered pods operating every 15 seconds. Each pod will carry 6 passengers and offer on-demand, non-stop travel by skipping stations when not required.
Devendra Fadnavis described the project as a move toward “future-ready, sustainable transport,” highlighting its potential to ease traffic and offer faster, greener commutes.
The system will include 22 air-conditioned stations placed about 200 metres apart. Phase I will cover 3.36 km between Kurla Terminal and Bandra (East), with stops at Kurla Terminal, LBS Marg, MMRDA Pay & Park (G Block), BDB Gate-11 (Kalanagar), Old MMRDA Building, and the Excise Department.
The corridor will integrate with the wider transport network, linking to Metro Line 3 at BKC and connecting with ITO and IL&FS stations on Metro Line 2B, creating a stronger multi-modal transit system.
By 2031, the service is expected to handle around 1.09 lakh passengers daily. Fares are estimated at ₹21 per km. The project will be implemented through a public-private partnership model, with no direct financial burden on the state government or MMRDA, while still generating revenue.
Earlier attempts to introduce pod taxis in India date back to 2017, with proposals in cities like Gurugram and later Noida, but none have been implemented so far. This makes Mumbai’s project a potential first for the country.
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