Have pod taxis started in Mumbai? A video doing the rounds on social media claims so. The clip, posted on X, shows a person travelling by what appears to be a pod taxi service. Passengers can select the route
for their journey with just a touch of their fingers. The taxi services stop at terminals similar to metro stations in the clip. The clip claimed that passengers can travel on the pilot route, from Nariman Point to BKC, for just Rs 50. But there is a catch. The video is an AI-generated one. Right now, no pod taxis are available in India’s financial capital.
The video comes months after a pod taxi service was announced by the Maharashtra government to tackle growing traffic congestion in Mumbai. Also called Personal Rapid Transit (PRT), these small, automated, driverless electric vehicles can carry two to six passengers at one time. They run on dedicated elevated tracks to offer point-to-point service.
India’s first Pod taxi Network in Mumbai??
Just crazy things pic.twitter.com/Kh8ZDUmNU6
— Comman Man (@CommanMan777589) January 9, 2026
Have Pod Taxi Services Started In India As Of January 2026?
No, as of January 2026, pod taxi services have not started anywhere in the country.
What Is The Project Status In Maharashtra?
The first pod taxi network in India was approved by the Maharashtra government in late 2025. It aims to connect Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Mira-Bhayandar under the oversight of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). The groundbreaking ceremony (bhoomi pujan) may take place within six months of November 2025, and construction could start by March 2026.
Currently, feasibility studies for last-mile connectivity are underway for routes like Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC).
What Are The Viral Claims About Pod Taxis In Mumbai?
Recent social media videos have been claiming that pod taxi launches have been launched in Mumbai; these are AI-generated fake clips.
As of now, no operational services or pilot routes, such as Nariman Point to BKC, have started.
Has Mumbai Started Any Pod Taxi Trial Runs As Of January 2026?
As of January 2026, no pod taxi trial runs have been started in Mumbai.
What Is The Current Progress On Pod Taxi Projects In Mumbai?
The MMRDA and the Maharashtra government are conducting feasibility studies and early surveys for routes to connect Navi Mumbai, Thane, Mira-Bhayandar, and BKC. Groundbreaking ceremonies may start within six months, with May 2026 as a potential target. Construction may begin around March this year.
Is There Any Relevance To Virar?
No, Virar-specific plans exist to date. Pod taxis have been proposed for the nearby area of Mira-Bhayandar. This could benefit commuters living in Virar through improved regional links.
The service will use driverless electric pods to carry around 3-6 passengers.
What Are The Proposed Features Of The Pod Taxis?
The pod taxis will be driverless electric vehicles that can carry 5-8 passengers. They can travel on elevated tracks at 40 km/h. The service aims to improve last-mile connectivity in Mumbai.
The BKC corridor may have 21 stations over 8 km, all of which will be integrated with metro and rail under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
What Are The Timeline Expectations For Pod Taxi Operations?
Current project expectations aim to achieve full operations in 2027 for areas like BKC. However, no pilots or trial runs have been reported yet.
Recent headlines have used the word “launches” for project approvals, and not the beginning of the actual pod taxi service.
Are Pod Taxis Planned For Vasai Or Virar Suburbs?
Right now, pod taxis have not been confirmed for the Vasai or Virar suburbs. However, Thane is included in the primary route plans, which could improve connectivity for people in Vasai and Virar as well. Proposed fares are approximately Rs 21-30 per km or for 1-2 km short trips.
What Are The Coverage Details Of The Approved Network?
The approved network will mainly connect Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Mira-Bhayandar.
The MMRDA is studying expansions, but as of now, there are no specific mentions of Vasai-Virar in the plans. The region’s proximity to Mira-Bhayandar may enable extensions in the future.
What Is The Fare Structure For The Pod Taxis?
Studies recommend Rs 21 per km for BKC routes, with 4 per cent annual increases. This will be cheaper than Uber/Ola (Rs 80-100 for 2-3 km) but costlier than autos (Rs 15-18/km). The proposed fare on the Thane-Mira routes is Rs 30 for 1-2 km distances.
What Is The Timeline And Model For Pod Taxi Construction And Operations?
Construction may start by March 2026 under the PPP model, with operations expected to begin in 2027.
The service will be integrated with metro, buses, and trains to improve last-mile suburban connectivity.
Is Navi Mumbai Included In The Planned Pod Taxi Network?
Yes, Navi Mumbai is one of the main parts of the planned pod taxi network. Specific suburbs in the area that will be part of the service have not been announced yet, as the MMRDA is still finalising routes and stations.
What Are The Planned Routes For The Pod Taxis?
The 52 km-long network will connect Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Mira-Bhayandar. It will have 63 stations in dense residential and commercial areas.
A trial segment has been proposed from the Bhayandar Pada Metro Station (Ghodbunder Road) to Thane’s Vihang Hills Circle, which will be integrated with the metro and buses.
What Is The Suburban Focus Of The Pod Taxi Stations?
Stations will be located in high-density suburbs of Navi Mumbai. This aims to reduce road congestion and improve last-mile connectivity without any major land acquisition.
Mira-Bhayandar (Rs 1,000 crore estimate) and areas like Thane’s Vihang Hills are targeted for early rollout.
What Are The Next Steps For The Pod Taxi Project?
The MMRDA is coordinating feasibility studies with local bodies. Operations could start by 2027 under current estimates, but no official date has been announced.
Are Pod Taxis Planned From Nariman Point To BKC?
While such claims have gone viral, they mostly refer to a fake pilot video. No pod taxis are not planned from Nariman Point to BKC yet.
What Are The Details Of The BKC Project?
The separate BKC pod taxi refers to an 8-8.8 km elevated corridor, with 21-38 stations, from Bandra Railway Station to Kurla Railway Station. It will serve BKC spots such as NSE, the Jio World Centre, SEBI, and Kalanagar.
What Is The Main Network For Pod Taxis?
The primary approved network links Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Mira-Bhayandar suburbs. South Mumbai areas like Nariman Point are not part of the network as of now.
The BKC project serves as a potential pilot or model, with an estimated cost of Rs 1,000 crore- Rs 1,016 crore.
What Is The Status And Fares For The BKC Pod Taxi?
No trials have been conducted yet. Drone surveys and approvals are underway for BKC, with construction starting possibly in 2026 and operations in three years.
The proposed fare is Rs 21 per km, making it below Uber/Ola rates.
