ULTra Fairwood, a JV between ULTra PRT of UK and Fairwood consultants of India is mulling to manufacture personal rapid transit (PRT) system in India. Currently, the company is holding discussion with infrastructure developers for a possible partnership. It is also in parleys with small car manufacturers to begin local manufacturing of the pod car.

The company is keen to start its PRT projects in Punjab and Haryana and is holding discussions with the concerned state governments for the same. According to the project proposal, the Amritsar project in Punjab is expected to cost about Rs 500 crore, while the Gurgaon project in Haryana is estimated to cost about Rs 5,000 crore.

The Amritsar PRT project envisages construction of 3.2 route km stretch with seven stations. In Gurgaon, the company proposes to build 105 km of route with 143 stations powered by about 3,000 vehicles.

Both the projects are expected to be implemented BOT basis. For this, apart from the right to operate the system for a long-term (30-35 year) period, it requires to get right of way from the concerned state government to make elevated guideways on which the pod cars can move. It also requires land for building stations.

In a PRT system - small, driverless, battery powered vehicles with Central control system or pod cars - run on slender, special purpose tracks. The tracks (or guideways) can be on ground or elevated. The cars - with capacities of seating 4-6 people - provide on-demand transport.