The state transport ministries data has revealed that Mumbai has the highest number of private cars on roads among others. According to the data, Mumbai has 430 cars/km of road which has spiked almost 56% in last 6 years.
Maharashtra’s Mumbai has the highest density of private cars on the road compared to other metropolitan cities. Data shows that Mumbai has 430 cars/km of road, compared to Kolkata’s 308. Pune is in third place with 248 cars/km. However, despite having the most private cars (27.9 lakh), Delhi has a car density of 93/km.
Mumbai’s roads are bursting at the seams as 172 cars are added on every day, while the length has remained close to 2,000km for few years. In last six years, there has been a 56% rise in private cars, which occupy 85% of road space and are an impediment to the growth of public transport. At present, there are 8.6 lakh private cars in the city.
Public or state vehicles have a population of 1.64 lakh with a density of 82 vehicles/km of road, which is just 19% of the total number private of cars plying on any stretch in the city.
“Private cars will keep growing unless there are good alternatives and a robust public transport system of AC buses and metros,” said expert Sunil Mone. “The Ghatkopar-Versova metro has dissuaded many from using cars along east-west corridor,” he added.
Mumbai Transport Forum co-convener Rishi Aggarwal said private cars have also become affordable for the middle class. “It is easy to get a loan with comfortable EMIs of Rs 5,000-8,000 for a hatchback. Parking will become a nightmare if the car population goes unchecked”, he added.
The Mumbai Environmental Social Network’s Ashok Datar said, “Public transport can never grow unless we remove cars parked on the road at least on major arteries. About 20% road space is used for car parking.”
