Mumbai: BKC pod taxi could become white elephant, warn experts

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) intends to invest more than Rs 1,000 crore in the pod taxi project to link the railway stations in Bandra and Kurla via the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) and boost the image of the commercial hub on a worldwide scale. However, this has raised questions on whether it is necessary to carry out this project by spending such a huge amount.

A V Shenoy, a senior transport expert with Mumbai Mobility Forum and Mumbai Vikas Samiti, said, "MMRDA should do a detailed study and check the viability of the project before taking a decision, or else it would turn out to be another white elephant like the Monorail."

The MMRDA, in its authority meeting earlier this month, approved the pod taxi project that would come up along an 8.8 km stretch. The MMRDA has also invited bids for development of the project, calling for a request for proposal (RFP) from expert agencies to execute it on a DFBOT (design finance build operate and transfer) basis. Experts mid-day interacted with had a mixed reaction towards the project.

Shenoy said, "The pod taxi will be a capital-intensive project and will take four years to implement. Also, it is not clear what fares will be charged to use the service and whether it will be affordable to the common man." According to Shenoy, the MMRDA should instead consider easily implementable and inexpensive projects like the dedicated bus lane which was tried earlier and found to be successful. "It can have shuttle EVs going around BKC to provide last-mile connectivity. But these should be either free for use or be as cheap as BEST bus services," he added.

Meanwhile, transport expert Jitendra Gupta said that any infra project should be welcomed as it could come as a relief to the "countries best-educated white-coloured but still voiceless, helpless and unorganised BKC commuters". "It could provide some relief and protection from the inhuman attitude and exploitation by the share rickshaw mafia. The only questions are whether it be affordable and how long the project will take to be completed. But do these commuters have to suffer till then? The fact that the government has decided to spend Rs 1,000 crore on this project means it is aware of public hardships and exploitation, and wants to do something to change the situation. We the public welcome the move," Gupta said.

He added, however, that till the project comes up, the government could provide immediate relief by running a BEST AC mini-bus service, with the fare priced at an affordable R10. "Wouldn't this be better than each commuter getting extorted daily by being forced to pay R40 for a share auto ride in each direction?"

It is said that the pod taxis will act as feeder transport and a last-mile connectivity option for the Yellow Line 2B, Aqua Line BKC station and the upcoming bullet train. The route will cover areas of the US Consulate, suburban stations of Kurla and Bandra, National Stock Exchange, Kalanagar, MCA and the BKC connector. The pod taxis would be similar to the monorail, but a smaller version, with each pod ferrying six passengers. They would run at 40 kmph and have 38 stops along the route. They will have a consistent frequency and the MMRDA says they would help decongest the road below.

Elevated stations are likely to be designed close to the existing buildings and will not take up much space. Sources said that with Metro line 2B and the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project coming up, they will design and plan the pod taxi route accordingly, for a smoother transition to these modes of public transit as well. The project was earlier discussed in early 2017.