A high-level delegation from Gujarat’s Futron Institute met with Odisha’s Housing and Urban Development Minister Shri Krushna Chandra Mohapatra and Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja to propose eco-friendly pod car services in Bhubaneswar.
The battery-operated, self-driven pod cars can carry up to 20 passengers and travel at speeds of 60–70 km/h. Futron has already implemented similar services in Vadodara, Gujarat, with positive results.
The proposed project aims to reduce air pollution, ease traffic congestion, and offer a sustainable transport solution for citizens. Officials believe the initiative could significantly improve urban mobility in Bhubaneswar.
Principal Secretary Usha Padhee, Special Secretary Rajesh Patil, Dr. N Thirumala Naik (Vice-Chairman, BDA), and BMC Commissioner Chanchal Rana attended the meeting along with other senior officials.
The delegation presented the technical and operational aspects of the pod car system, emphasizing its environmental benefits and scalability. The city’s leadership expressed interest in exploring the proposal further.
If approved, Bhubaneswar could become a model for smart, eco-friendly urban transport in eastern India. The initiative aligns with the state’s commitment to sustainable development and citizen-centric innovation.
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