Maharashtra, a state in western India, is exploring the possibility of phasing out petrol and diesel vehicles in Mumbai, its financial hub and the country’s most populous city, with the aim of combating rising pollution and traffic congestion. The state government has set up a committee to assess the feasibility of this move, which could see only electric and CNG vehicles allowed in the city.
The Bombay High Court, in a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed on 9 January, expressed concern over the worsening traffic and pollution levels in Mumbai, noting that these issues not only degrade the quality of life and environment but also impact the city’s productivity. In response, Maharashtra’s government announced a resolution on 22 January, which included the formation of a seven-member committee to study the implications of such a ban across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, which includes Mumbai and its surrounding districts of Thane, Raigad, and Palghar.
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“Vehicular emissions are a primary source of air pollution, and the current measures to control the number of vehicles and pollution in Mumbai are proving inadequate,” the Maharashtra government stated in its official resolution. The committee, led by Sudhir Kumar Shrivastava, a retired IAS officer, is tasked with preparing a report within three months on the feasibility of a petrol and diesel vehicle ban in the region.
However, the potential move comes with significant challenges. While it may boost electric mobility in Mumbai, the transition could be difficult, as electric vehicles (EVs) remain expensive for many consumers and charging infrastructure is still limited. A hasty implementation could also disrupt the transportation system and harm vehicle manufacturers, particularly as EV adoption is still in its early stages in the region.
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According to The Economic Times, Maharashtra recorded over 2.9 million vehicle sales in 2024, including 254,000 units in Mumbai alone. However, EVs accounted for only 230,000 units across the state in the same year. While precise numbers for Mumbai’s EV sales in 2024 are unavailable, a report from The Indian Express showed that Mumbai registered over 10,000 EVs in 2023, representing 33% of Maharashtra’s total EV sales for that year.
