Why Mumbai’s Traffic Is Stalling—And How Police Are Responding

The growing demand for fast food and goods delivery in Mumbai is causing increasing traffic congestion. Traffic police have highlighted the widespread use of e-bikes, often replaced by motorcycles, by food delivery apps as a key contributor to the city's traffic woes, as per a Mid-day report. In response, the police have enforced stricter measures, including the seizure of e-bikes since last year.

According to officials, despite multiple meetings and reminders to food delivery app executives to impose strict rules and blacklist repeat offenders, significant action has yet to be taken. E-bike riders cannot be booked for traffic violations, as these vehicles are not registered with the Regional Transport Office (RTO). However, police take action by booking riders for violations such as rash driving, wrong-side driving, and other offences under the Bombay Motor Vehicles Act (BNS).

Photo Credit: PTI

"We inform the delivery app offices to blacklist these drivers, but no significant changes have been seen," said a traffic official, as per the same report. Since August 2024, Mumbai police have seized 1,754 e-bikes as part of a continued crackdown. "Initially, there was no fear among delivery executives because e-bikes aren't covered by the Motor Vehicles Act. To address this, we started booking them under the BNS as a remedial measure," the official explained.

Joint Commissioner of Police, Anil Kumbhare, confirmed in the Mid-day report that the action is ongoing. "Our aim is to ensure smooth traffic flow. Last year, we began seizing e-bikes, and this action continues. So far, 1,754 bikes have been seized citywide," he said. E-bike riders are often booked under the BNS, as these vehicles have engines of 25cc or smaller and a maximum speed of 25 km/h, meaning they are not covered by the Motor Vehicles Act.

"These bikes, frequently used by delivery riders, violate traffic norms regularly. Common offences include not wearing helmets, jumping signals, and engaging in verbal spats with officers," said a traffic officer, as per the report. From August 2024 to January 2025, 985 cases were registered under the BNS for e-bike-related violations. Offenders are typically charged under sections 281 (rash driving), 184 (wrong-side driving), and 129 (failure to wear a helmet).

Despite these efforts, police have urged food delivery apps to take stronger action, such as holding workshops for drivers, deducting incentives, and blacklisting repeat offenders. "We've held meetings with app companies, asking them to establish clear communication with drivers and share information on blacklisted riders to prevent them from being hired by other apps. Unfortunately, no tangible change has been observed," an officer added in the same report.

Statistics from August 2024 to January 2025:

985 cases registered under BNS
1,754 e-bikes seized
3,394 fines issued