Is Mumbai ready for personal rapid transport? Experts say no

While a Delhi-based company has come up with an offer to start a personal rapid transit system (PRTS) in city, transport planners within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) seem unconvinced that it is necessary for Mumbai. 

Fairwood Consultants gave a presentation to MMRDA officials on Tuesday. According to senior MMRDA officials, the system has been implemented successfully on short distances in many parts of the world.

“Heathrow airport in London has similar PRTS carts. The system is being tested even in Gurgaon. The idea of a PRTS is to have pods weighing approximately 900kg with carrying capacity of four passengers. They run on electricity on a dedicated track (similar to trams). “We were impressed with the presentation and are contemplating a pilot project, but only after a nod from the chief minister,” said a top MMRDA official. 

There are a number of small routes in and around Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), which are being considered for the pilot project.

These include BKC to Sion, BKC to Bandra (West), and BKC to Bandra (East) station. The company has claimed that it is even possible to run the PRTS on skywalks as it does not occupy much space. “Company officials said PRTS can also be effectively run connecting Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and Churchgate station,” added the official. 

However, planners as well as some section of officials within the authority seem to be against the idea of a PRTS. Veteran transport analyst Ashok Datar said that such projects are only suited for smaller cities.

“It will be unfortunate if Mumbai gets clogged by such chunky toys which are of no use to the crowded city,” said Datar.