India's Maharashtra considers ban on petrol, diesel vehicles in Mumbai

High Courst directed Maharashtra to form a panel to study the feasibility of phasing out petrol-diesel vehicles

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The government of Maharashtra has constituted a seven-member panel to explore the feasibility of banning petrol and diesel vehicles in Mumbai and replacing them with electric and compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles, following a directive from the Bombay High Court.

The proposal comes amid mounting concerns over deteriorating air quality in India’s financial hub. Mumbai, home to major stock exchanges and multinational offices, has witnessed a steady decline in air quality due to increased traffic congestion and ongoing construction projects.

In its January 9 order, the court emphasized the alarming rise in vehicular emissions, calling them one of the primary contributors to air pollution. “The roads in the Mumbai metropolitan region are choked with vehicles, and the density of vehicles is alarming,” the court noted.

Mumbai’s air quality has worsened significantly since 2020, with a 12% rise in the air quality index (AQI), according to data from AQI, a real-time air quality monitoring platform.

If implemented, the ban could have wide-ranging implications for automobile manufacturers, businesses, and citizens reliant on petrol and diesel vehicles. The city currently lacks adequate infrastructure for electric vehicle (EV) charging, and its metro rail network is still under development.
The government’s committee is tasked with studying the proposal and submitting its findings within three months.

In addition to the proposed ban, the Maharashtra government is reportedly exploring a policy requiring vehicle owners to have certified parking spaces. Vehicle registration could be denied if owners fail to comply, according to the state’s transport commissioner, Vivek Bhimanwar.
India, which is home to some of the world’s most polluted cities, has been grappling with severe air quality issues. New Delhi, the capital, frequently records hazardous AQI levels during winter, underscoring the need for urgent action on pollution.

The panel’s findings are expected to shape the future of transportation policy in Mumbai, potentially setting a precedent for other Indian cities battling pollution.