In a major infrastructure development, the Indian government’s priority project, Jewar International Airport, is set to enhance airport connectivity in the Delhi area. Located in the National Capital Range (NCR) suburb of Noida, the airport will introduce a “pod taxi” service to improve last-mile transportation.
The pod taxi service, also known as driverless Personal Rapid Transport (PRT), will connect Jewar airport with Film City in Noida. This service will cover a distance of approximately 14.1 kilometers between the two locations. The estimated cost for building the pod taxi system is ₹810 crore. The route will pass through sectors 28, 29, 21, and 32 of Gautam Budh Nagar district, commonly known as NOIDA (New Okhla Industrial Development Authority).
Pod taxis are electric vehicles that operate without a driver. These small automated cars are designed to transport a few passengers at high speeds. They run on dedicated tracks separate from regular road traffic and are powered by electricity. This eco-friendly mode of transportation offers cost-effective and convenient travel options.
The introduction of pod taxis in Uttar Pradesh, the northern state where Gautam Budh Nagar is located, will mark India’s first implementation of this international transit system. Similar systems are already operational in Dubai, Singapore, and London’s Heathrow Airport, among other places.
The construction of Noida International Airport near New Delhi is underway in multiple phases. Once completed, it is expected to handle 30-50 million passengers per year (MPPA) over the next 10-15 years, according to India’s civil aviation ministry. With India’s aviation market growing rapidly, air travel has become more accessible with reduced ticket prices. Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi is projected to handle up to 91 million passengers per year in the next three years, reaching its maximum capacity of 109 million passengers per year by 2024.
Overall, the introduction of the pod taxi service at Jewar International Airport will significantly enhance last-mile connectivity, providing an eco-friendly, cost-effective, and convenient mode of transportation for travelers in the Delhi area.
