Commute from one part of the city to another just became easier for pilgrims in Haridwar as the holy city will soon get podcars. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Uttarakhand government and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to provide the laser-guided automated podcars in Haridwar.

The podcar route will ferry pilgrims from one end of the Ganges to the other.

Madan Kaushik, Uttarakhand&rsquos Urban Development Minister said that the idea was inspired by the cost-friendly personal rapid transit systems in the UK and Germany. The DMRC officials said the pod car and ropeway systems save costs and space and are just right for cities like Haridwar and Rishikesh, situated on the banks of the Ganges and surrounded by hilly terrains and reserved forests.

As per a report from The Times of India, the personalised podcar corridor for Haridwar will be 8 km long, and it will cover the area from the shrine of Brahma Kund in Har-Ki-Pauri to the suburban Jwalapur. Reportedly, the podcar corridor will have 11 stations.

DMRC director for business development, Som Dutt Sharma said a podcar is like a personal taxi that can accommodate six passengers at a time and is operated through a laser-guided system, as reported by the Hindustan Times.

The move in Haridwar comes after the suspension bridge, Ram Jhula is under pressure and the 96 year bridge, Laxman Jhula closed down. While Haridwar is getting podcars, Dehradun and Rishikesh are getting a ropeway.