2 weeks Ago
The pod taxi program is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion in the Thane area. A futuristic pod taxi service is set to launch in Mira-Bhayandar, Thane, Maharashtra, marking a significant leap in urban transportation. The Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) has granted the necessary approvals and survey clearances for the project, as confirmed by Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik.
Speaking at an event, Minister Sarnaik expressed confidence that the service would soon be operational, offering a fast, affordable, and innovative alternative to traditional modes of transportation. The pod taxi program is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion, as the city’s population has crossed one million and pressure on road infrastructure continues to rise. “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 as quoted by the Free Press Journal.
The Pod Taxi Service: Details Under the direction of Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a pilot project was started in Vadodara, Gujarat, which served as the model for the pod taxi effort. After visiting Nutran EV Mobility’s Futran Experience Centre in Vadodara’s Special Economic Zone (SEZ) under Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s instructions, Minister Sarnaik decided to duplicate the same concept in Thane and Mira-Bhayandar. A specific location in Mira-Bhayandar, next to JP Infrastructure, has been chosen for the project’s implementation.
The pod taxi system is an elevated transit option with high efficiency that is intended to function seamlessly above current roads. It is simple to deploy even in crowded cities since each pod travels on a dedicated track that is six meters above the ground and is held up by little pillars that take up less than one square metre of space. Each pod can accommodate up to 20 passengers and move at 60–70 km/h thanks to electric motors and onboard battery systems.
The completely automated system provides continuous, on-demand service around the clock. Modern safety features are integrated, such as a minimum 25-meter following distance between pods and an onboard collision prevention system. Due to its narrow turning radius and compact station design, it can be used in a wide range of places, such as high-density corridors and metro station links.
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