Mumbai Traffic Overhaul: CPA Certificates, Congestion Taxes, And More Proposed

In an effort to address parking problems, traffic congestion, and pollution in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and other cities, the Maharashtra state government is exploring a series of new measures to improve vehicular mobility. Recently, the transport department presented a detailed proposal to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, outlining strategies aimed at resolving these persistent issues, as per a Hindustan Times (HT) report.

One of the key proposals under consideration is making it mandatory for individuals to have a certified parking area (CPA) before registering a new vehicle. Other measures include levying congestion taxes, limiting the number of vehicles per family, and restricting vehicular movement in high-traffic areas like south Mumbai and major business districts.

Photo Credit: PTI

The transport department plans to consult stakeholders, including motorists, manufacturers, and various government departments, over the next three months. These discussions will address legal aspects and feasibility before finalising the proposals. "In the next month, we will consult stakeholders on the proposal's details. Regulatory frameworks, including heavy taxes on vehicles and restrictions on car numbers per family, are being considered. We aim to finalise these measures within three months," said Sanjay Sethi, Additional Chief Secretary of the Transport Department.

The department has studied international practices to form its plan. For example, Japan requires a 'garage certificate' to buy a car, while Singapore's vehicle quota system controls car ownership through auctions and entitlements. London's congestion tax of £15 has reduced vehicles by 20 per cent, and similar tolls in Stockholm have proven effective. In China, quotas and auction systems regulate car purchases in major cities.

"We could restrict car entry into congested areas like south Mumbai during peak hours by providing parking in nearby zones, such as the Mumbai Port Authority. Public transport could then connect motorists to their destinations," said a transport official, adding that the success of the Metro and new roads will support this transition.

Transport expert AV Shenoy welcomed the proposals but cautioned that certain measures, like tolls and congestion taxes, may face resistance. "The government must enhance public transport and prepare for opposition from powerful car manufacturing lobbies. A robust implementation plan will be critical," he said in the HT report.

The government plans to introduce these measures in phases, with Navi Mumbai identified as an easier starting point for implementing the CPA requirement.