The announcement was made this week that the city's vehicle population had surpassed the 46 lakh mark, leading to a density of 2,300 vehicles per kilometre of road. This increase has been described as a 'population explosion', greatly affecting the quality of life for Mumbaikars. Over the course of five years, there has been a 25% rise in vehicle density, including a period of a couple of years during the Covid pandemic, and a 100% increase over a decade. In 2019, the vehicle density was reported to be 1,840 vehicles per kilometre, while it was 1,150 vehicles per kilometre in 2014.
Those who own cars and travel long distances for work or other purposes find themselves stuck in endless traffic jams, battling pollution and road rage. Despite the enforcement of new BS-VI emission norms by the government, experts fear that the lack of a cap on the number of registered cars could lead to disastrous consequences in the near future. It's now common for families to own 2 to 3 cars.
Mumbai has the highest vehicle density among Metro cities, with Chennai having a density of 1,762 vehicles per kilometre, Kolkata 1,283, Bengaluru 1,134, and Delhi 261, according to sources.
Paresh Rawal, a public policy analyst specializing in transportation, noted, With the increase in Mumbai's urban population, cars and bikes are competing for space per square foot. The already overloaded suburban train system has nearly reached its maximum capacity. When discussing how to reduce the number of private vehicles, he suggested, The introduction of new Metro lines, once operational and interconnected, will undoubtedly improve travel between suburbs and business hubs. Furthermore, buses need to be strengthened to provide the much-needed last-mile connectivity.
Experts pointed to examples of vehicle restrictions in global cities such as Singapore and London, where the government promotes the use of public transport and closely monitors the growth of cars. China has also implemented restrictions on car usage in cities like Shanghai and Beijing to prevent traffic congestion. Madrid and New York are among other global cities taking measures to reduce the number of cars on the roads, while Amsterdam and Oslo are rapidly transitioning to become car-free cities.
Transport expert Vivek Pai suggested that the government make it more difficult to purchase new vehicles, encouraging people to buy and sell only used cars . This will help maintain a constant number of vehicles and phase out excess ones. The main issue is that if even 40% of Mumbaikars decide to use their vehicles on the same day, the entire city could be gridlocked within an hour. Additionally, many people bring vehicles from other cities or states without registering them, further contributing to congestion, he added.
However, Amar Jatin Sheth, the national treasurer for the Federation of Automobile Dealers Association, argued that private vehicles have become a necessity rather than a status symbol. It is reasonable for a family to own 2-3 cars. They can serve as utility vehicles; for instance, some elderly individuals may require a car for transportation, or individuals may need to commute long distances daily. The construction of the Atal Setu and coastal road will significantly alleviate congestion, so there's no need to be concerned.
Motorist Jai Kulkarni claimed that only 10% of buyers actually require a car, while 30-40% purchase one for its aspirational value or as a status symbol. Another car owner, Dhruv Mehta, mentioned that he spends 1-2 hours daily driving in traffic jams on the Western Express Highway to work, preferring it to overcrowded trains or metro coaches during peak hours. Some individuals even complete office work during their commute using car Bluetooth hands-free mobile phone speakers. Additionally, there are those who only use cars for weekend outings with their families, according to car owner Abhijit Panchal.
