Mumbai's Traffic Woes: Can Cable Taxis Be the Game-Changer?

Mumbai: In an effort to tackle Mumbai's persistent traffic woes, Maharashtra's Transport Minister, Pratap Sarnaik, has proposed the introduction of a cable taxi system—a futuristic, eco-friendly transport solution that could revolutionize the city's mobility network.

This "dream project" envisions small, driverless pods operating on elevated cables above congested roads, offering a smooth, uninterrupted travel experience for daily commuters. Sarnaik believes that with limited road space and an ever-growing number of vehicles, the time has come to explore innovative alternatives like this.

"Cable taxis are widely used in Europe, and adapting such systems here could greatly ease congestion while promoting sustainable transport," Sarnaik said. Highlighting their minimal space requirements and eco-friendly design, he described these pod taxis as a modern solution similar to metro systems but requiring less infrastructure.

Why Cable Taxis?

These overhead pods promise point-to-point travel without traffic delays, operating on electricity and potentially solar power. Each vehicle can carry around 15–20 passengers, making it ideal for urban settings like Mumbai.

While a similar system was proposed in Bengaluru back in 2017, it was later abandoned due to feasibility concerns. However, Sarnaik remains optimistic that cable taxis could be a "game-changer" for Mumbai, reducing congestion and contributing to the city's green transport goals.