By Arosh John | Founder – John Real Estate (MahaRERA Reg. No. A51700001835) | Editor-in-Chief – Thane Real Estate News (TREN)
Thane – MMR | November 2025
The Government of Maharashtra has approved a feasibility study for a pod-taxi network linking Thane, Navi Mumbai and Mira Bhayandar. It has assigned the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) as the nodal agency for the project.
A high-level meeting, led by Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde on 12 November 2025, initiated this evaluation. The study will investigate whether an elevated, automated Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system can enhance last-mile and inter-city mobility within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
PPP Model Confirmed
The State plans to develop the proposed network through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Under this approach, MMRDA will manage feasibility, surveys and corridor planning. Meanwhile, private concessionaires will handle design, construction, financing, operations and maintenance.
The State also aims to ensure that the project does not create any direct financial burden on local municipal corporations. Therefore, the MMRDA will conduct survey-based studies across Thane, Navi Mumbai and Mira Bhayandar to identify viable routes.
This pod-taxi evaluation aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to test new mobility solutions, including the earlier PRT concept studied for the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) corridor.
Connectivity and Mobility Impact
If the project proves feasible and receives further approvals, it can significantly improve regional movement.
The network can:
• enhance connectivity between Thane, Airoli/Navi Mumbai and Mira Bhayandar
• provide faster feeder access to metro routes and major road corridors
• reduce congestion through elevated, low-emission transport
• support planned growth in dense areas where road expansion is limited
As mobility improves, real-estate activity in adjoining corridors often responds positively. Therefore, this project may influence long-term development patterns once its structure and alignment become clearer.
Current Status
The State has approved only the feasibility stage. MMRDA has begun early surveys and corridor studies. However, final decisions regarding alignment, station locations, bidding, concessionaires and timelines remain pending. These details will become public only after MMRDA submits its feasibility report.
TREN will continue to track each official update.
About the Author
Arosh John is a prominent real estate consultant based in Thane, Maharashtra, and the Founder of John Real Estate (MahaRERA Reg. No. A51700001835). He specialises in residential advisory, luxury villas, premium resale and NRI-focused property transactions across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. With extensive on-the-ground experience and profound market understanding, he is recognised as one of the leading voices on real estate trends, regulatory developments and infrastructure-led growth in Thane. His work combines practical transaction expertise with data-driven analysis, making him a trusted advisor for homebuyers, investors and industry stakeholders. Arosh also serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Thane Real Estate News (TREN), a digital platform renowned for its factual, research-driven coverage of urban planning, infrastructure and property markets in the region.
Disclaimer
This article is based strictly on official government updates and credible information available in the public domain as of November 2025. Details such as alignment, specifications, private partner selection and project timelines may change after future notifications from the Government of Maharashtra and MMRDA. This report is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice.
