India, Aug. 14 -- The long-pending automated Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) - popularly known as the pod taxi project - has received clearance from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA), the state body tasked with safeguarding the coastal environment.

Estimated at Rs.1,016.34 crore, the project is slated for completion within three years, and aims to enhance last-mile connectivity to the business hub, catering to an estimated 400,000 to 600,000 daily commuters. While the initiative promises to ease transportation challenges, it raises concerns about its environmental impact on the coastal ecosystem. According to the proposal cleared by MCZMA, 0.14 hectares of mangroves will be affected,...