Mumbai’s persistent traffic congestion, particularly in its busiest commercial districts, could soon be addressed through a congestion pricing mechanism. BJP councillor Makarand Narvekar has proposed levying an entry fee on private vehicles entering key Central Business Districts (CBDs), to ease traffic flow and reduce pollution. He has urged the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to consider the proposal in its forthcoming annual budget.
In a letter addressed to BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, Narvekar highlighted how the growing dependence on private vehicles has intensified congestion in high-density commercial zones, especially in South Mumbai. He suggested that private vehicles entering designated high-traffic areas during peak hours, particularly those carrying a single occupant, should be subject to a congestion fee.
As part of the proposal, Narvekar has recommended launching a pilot project in South Mumbai, which remains one of the city’s most crowded business corridors. Under the plan, vehicles entering notified CBD areas between 8 am and 11 am, and again from 5 pm to 8 pm, could be charged between Rs 50 and Rs 100 per entry. Identification of vehicles and enforcement could be carried out using the city’s existing CCTV network and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras.
Drawing on international examples, Narvekar pointed to cities such as London and Singapore, where congestion pricing has been used to discourage unnecessary private vehicle usage, improve traffic movement, and encourage public transport adoption. He stated that Mumbai could adapt similar models to suit local requirements.
The councillor further suggested that congestion charges be collected automatically through FASTag-based systems to prevent manual checks and avoid additional bottlenecks. He estimated that the measure could generate annual revenue of Rs 200 to Rs 300 crore, which could be directed towards air quality initiatives and strengthening public transport. Citing observations from the recent Economic Survey, Narvekar noted that congestion pricing is increasingly viewed as a viable tool to manage urban traffic and pollution.
If taken forward, the proposal could spark a wider debate on road usage in Mumbai and how the city manages increasing mobility demands amid limited infrastructure.
Source: News18
