YEIDA approves DPR of ₹810-crore Noida Pod Taxi project

Noida, India (Urban Transport News): The board of Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) has given its nod to detailed project report (DPR) for the Rs 810-crore Noida pod taxi project that is being planned to connect Greater Noida to the Noida International Airport in Jewar. The DPR was prepared and submitted by Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corporation Limited (IPRRC).

On February 22, 2022 a meeting was held between YEIDA and IPRRC officials at the authority’s office in Sector Omega 1 and it was decided to float a tender to select an agency for building this project that is scheduled to be completed by September 2024.

“We have reduced the stations as the layout of the airport has been changed. We added the industrial land of sectors 31 and 32 with airport to expand the aviation hub area. Accordingly, we have reduced the number of stations to 12 from 17. Now the DPR is finalised and we will approve it in our board meeting after March 10 when the election model code of conduct comes to an end,” said Arun Vir Singh, Chief Executive Officer, YEIDA.

Saleint features of Pod Taxi Project

• According to the DPR, the driverless pod taxi in Noida will have 12 stations between the Noida International Airport and Film City in Noida Sector 21. The 12 stations of the Pod Taxi is likely to built at Film City, Noida Sector 34, Rabupura Village, Toy Park, Junction of Noida Sectors 28 and 33, Apparel Park, Junction of Noida Sectors 29 and 32 (on 100m wide road), Noida Sector 29, MSME Park, Junction of Noida Sectors 29 and 32 (on 75m wide road), and Handicraft Park.
• The fare for taxi ride is likely to be charged Rs 8 per km.
• To build the project, elevated routes has been finalised at a height of 12m on the 100m road passing through sectors. The route have been planned through sectors so that the users can easily find and comfortably use the Pod taxi stations.
• The pod taxi rides will be available at a frequency of every 20 seconds.
• The driverless personal rapid transport (PRT) or pod taxis could be considered for last mile connectivity of passengers commuting to and from the upcoming Noida International Airport.
• Hi-tech pod taxis, which are used in several western countries, are cost-effective, pro-environment and convenient.

Development work for the first phase of the Noida International Airport in Jewar is underway. The Greenfield Airport is being developed in four phases and billed to be the biggest when completed with five or six runways spread in an area of 5,000 hectare.