Maharashtra has a set up a seven-member committee to study the possibility of imposing a ban on petrol and diesel vehicles in the Mumbai Metropolitan Area, in view of the city’s worsening air quality.
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) also includes areas of neighbouring Thane, Raigad and Palghar districts.
Details of the Panel
The committee, headed by retired IAS officer Sudhir Kumar Shrivastava, will study and submit a report with its recommendations within three months, reported PTI, citing a government resolution dated January 22. Maharashtra's transport commissioner, Mumbai's joint police commissioner (traffic), managing director of the Mahanagar Gas, project manager of the Maharashtra State Power Distribution Company (Mahavitaran), president of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), and joint transport commissioner (enforcement-1) as member secretary are the other panelists.
The government resolution has given the panel powers to include experts in the field as fellow members and get feedback from them.
What Bombay High Court Had Said
The decision follows a Public Interest Litigation in Bombay High Court earlier this year, following which the state government formed the committee of experts to study the feasibility of imposing a ban on petrol and diesel vehicles.
The High Court had pointed out that vehicular emissions are a major source of air pollution and measures to control vehicles and pollution in Mumbai were proving inadequate.
Possible Impact
The move, if it goes through, could have an impact on sales numbers of the automotive sector from the city. During 2024, 2.79 lakh new vehicles were registered at four RTO offices in Mumbai, which is 9.89% higher than 2023. For the entire state, more than 28 lakh vehicles were registered in 2024, a growth of 12.32% compared to 2023, showed data.
On a YTD basis, the BSE Auto Index is down by over 3%, and up by 17% over last one year.
A key question that also arises is how the proposed committee will safeguard existing vehicle owners of the city, and what measures would be considered for vehicles that are older than 15 years.
In December last year, Mumbai's municipal authority had issued warnings to construction sites across the city and conducted inspection to check on pollution control protocols. The Air Quality Index (AQI) had worsened in the city during December owing to an increase in construction activity, combined with a shift in wind patterns and lower temperatures. The number of infrastructure projects underway in Mumbai during December were over 11,000.
Mumbai's Green Transit Plans
Mumbai is undertaking several green transit initiatives, aimed at enhancing sustainable transportation. The existing Metro Network is being expanded, to boost public transit. Plans are also underway to double the operational capacity of the Mumbai's Monorail going forward.
BluSmart, the electric ride-hailing company too has announced its much-anticipated expansion into Mumbai.
The upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), which is scheduled to commence operation in 2025 is expected to help decongest the city.
The Stockholm Experiment
Previously, Stockholm, Sweden's capital had planned a ban on petrol and diesel cars in 2024, in a part of its city center, which was put on hold in November. The county authority cited request from companies seeking to withdraw or postpone the ban.
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