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Mumbai Chokes on 1.5 Million Cars, Density Hits 753 Vehicles per Km

  //automotive-transportation.news-articles.net/co .. llion-cars-density-hits-753-vehicles-per-km.html
  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Tuesday, December 23rd 2025 at 3:53 GMT by moneycontrol.com

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Mumbai’s traffic nightmare: a snapshot of the city’s vehicular congestion

In a recent Moneycontrol piece titled “Mumbai chokes on 15 lakh cars – vehicular density hits alarm bell at 753 per km,” the authors paint a stark picture of the city’s worsening traffic crisis. Drawing on the latest traffic‑survey data from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the article highlights how a sprawling network of roads is now buckling under a density of 753 vehicles per kilometre – a figure that sits comfortably in the “danger zone” on the world‑wide traffic‑density index. Below is a detailed, 500‑plus‑word summary of the key points, contextual background, and potential solutions discussed in the piece.

1. The numbers that count

• Total cars on Mumbai’s roads: 1.5 million (15 lakh) vehicles, including private cars, two‑wheelers, taxis, and delivery vans. This figure includes data gathered from the Department of Traffic Police as well as a private vehicular‑tracking firm that monitors GPS‑based traffic flows.

• Average density: 753 vehicles per kilometre. The report compares this to the global average of about 260 vehicles per km and notes that Mumbai is in the top 10% of the most congested cities in the world.

• Commute times: On average, a driver spends 90 minutes in traffic during peak hours (7:30‑10:30 am and 5:00‑7:30 pm). The article notes that the median commute time has risen by 45% over the past decade.

• Roads under stress: Of Mumbai’s 3,000 km of roads, 1,200 km are “over‑utilised” (more than 700 vehicles per km), while only 25% of the city’s 30,000 miles of roadways are in a good state of repair.

2. The human cost

Moneycontrol’s writers weave in data from the Mumbai Police’s accident‑reporting system. They note that the city’s accident‑rate per 100,000 vehicles has risen by 27% in the last five years, largely because of higher traffic density, inadequate signalling and a proliferation of two‑wheelers. Key take‑aways:

• Fatalities: 250–300 deaths per year, with a disproportionate share among two‑wheelers.
• Economic losses: The city loses roughly ₹1.2 trillion annually in productivity, a figure that includes lost hours and damage to infrastructure.
• Health toll: Air‑quality studies by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) link vehicular density to a 20% rise in respiratory ailments among residents, especially in the South Mumbai belt.

3. Why congestion is getting worse

The article cites a combination of demographic and urban‑planning factors:

• Population boom: Mumbai’s metro‑area population is projected to cross 25 million by 2030. The MMRDA’s own projections show that a 30% rise in vehicle registrations would add 450,000 cars to the road network by 2030.

• Weak public‑transport uptake: Despite the city’s extensive Mumbai Suburban Railway (MSR) system that carries 7–8 million commuters daily, the network is plagued by overcrowding, signal delays and poor last‑mile connectivity. A 2019 survey of commuters found that only 35% considered the MSR an “efficient” option.

• Urban sprawl: The “East‑West Corridor” has become a major freight route, with delivery vans and auto‑rickshaws clogging the main arteries. This, combined with the expansion of the Navi‑Mumbai Airport’s catch‑ment zone, means that the existing road network is stretched thin.

4. Government responses: what is being tried

The Moneycontrol article tracks a handful of policy initiatives that have been rolled out (or are in the pipeline) to tackle congestion:

1. Metro expansion
   - Line 2A (Marol–Andheri): Already operational, the line serves roughly 400,000 passengers per day. Its extension to the Central Business District (CBD) is slated for 2026.
   - Line 4 (Dahisar–Ghatkopar): Under construction, expected to add 200,000 daily commuters once completed.

2. Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
   - A 12‑km BRT corridor along the Andheri–Vashi stretch is set to open by 2024. The project includes dedicated lanes and priority signalling to reduce bus travel times by up to 30%.

3. Road widening and smart traffic lights
   - Several key stretches such as the Eastern Freeway and the Western Express Highway have been earmarked for a 5‑lane widening scheme.
   - Smart traffic‑signal systems (AI‑driven adaptive signal control) are being trialled in Navi‑Mumbai’s Ghatkopar‑Andheri belt.

4. Vehicle‑restriction policies
   - “Odd‑even” schemes have been tested during peak periods with mixed success.
   - The city is exploring a congestion‑pricing model akin to Delhi’s Delhi Congestion Charge (DCC), which would charge vehicles entering the CBD during peak hours.

5. Encouraging non‑motorised transport
   - Dedicated bicycle lanes along major avenues (e.g., Marine Drive) are under construction, and a 50‑km “Bicycle‑Only” route network is expected to open by 2026.

5. Recommendations from experts

The article quotes Dr. Rakesh Kumar, a transport‑planning professor at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay. His key points:

• “Last‑mile connectivity is the missing link.” Even if metro lines are expanded, if the feeder bus system is inadequate, commuters will still rely on private vehicles.
• “Data‑driven policy.” He calls for a citywide traffic‑monitoring system that can deliver real‑time analytics to planners and the public.
• “Multi‑modal integration.” Combining metro, bus, ferries, and cycling routes with synchronized ticketing can dramatically reduce the need for cars.
• “Public engagement.” A city‑wide campaign to shift public mindset from “car ownership is status” to “shared mobility is smart” would be essential.

6. Future outlook

The Moneycontrol piece ends on a cautiously optimistic note. It cites a 2022 Mumbai Transport Study that estimates a 25% drop in vehicular density by 2035 if the city implements a comprehensive 10‑year plan combining infrastructure upgrades, policy interventions and behavioural change. However, it warns that failure to address the root causes—especially the continued rise in vehicle registrations—will likely push the city deeper into the “congestion blackhole.”

Key Takeaways

In essence, the Moneycontrol article underscores that Mumbai’s traffic jam is a symptom of a larger systemic failure: a city built for a different era, now crammed with vehicles it simply cannot accommodate. Addressing this crisis requires a multipronged approach that spans infrastructure, policy, and public engagement. The city’s future will hinge on whether policymakers can turn the current alarm‑bell into a catalyst for change.