As Mumbai grapples with worsening traffic congestion and rising pollution, the idea of implementing a congestion tax is gaining attention among transportation experts and policymakers. Inspired by successful models in cities like London, Stockholm, Singapore, and more recently, New York City, a congestion tax aims to reduce traffic in busy urban areas by charging vehicles for entering high-traffic zones.
Experts believe that a pilot project in Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), a major business district, could provide a valuable test case before considering a city-wide rollout. “A focused trial in BKC could offer critical insights into the feasibility, challenges, and benefits of implementing a congestion charge in Mumbai,” said a noted transport expert.
Proponents argue that the tax could discourage unnecessary vehicle usage, encourage public transportation, and reduce both traffic congestion and air pollution. However, the concept has met with skepticism from others who highlight Mumbai’s unique challenges.
“Mumbai’s roads are already overcrowded, and the city’s traffic patterns are highly complex. Designing an effective system to monitor, collect, and enforce the congestion tax could prove difficult, especially in a city with a high volume of vehicles and limited traffic management infrastructure” said an expert.
The idea is simple: by charging a fee to enter congested zones during peak hours, traffic flow could be smoothed out, leading to fewer vehicles on the road. The revenue generated from the tax could then be reinvested into improving public transportation, enhancing road infrastructure, and supporting urban development projects, all while tackling the city’s worsening air pollution.
“Implementing a congestion tax in Mumbai would not only ease traffic congestion but also encourage more people to use public transportation, walk, or cycle, fostering a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle,” said Mohammed Afzal, a transport expert and human rights activist.
“With Mumbai’s air quality remaining a major concern, reducing the number of cars on the road could bring significant environmental benefits, improving the city’s overall quality of life” further added Afzal..
Similarly, AV Shenoy, noted transport expert and co- founder of the Mumbai Mobility Forum said, “I completely agree. We have been advocating for this for several years. Mumbai has only 2,000 kilometers of roads, while the number of vehicles has reached nearly 40 lakh. There is simply no space for so many vehicles.
The implementation of a congestion tax must be accompanied by improvements to the public transport system, especially BEST, to handle the additional demand. A congestion tax would also push more people to use the Metro, increasing its occupancy. The revenue generated should be invested in enhancing public transport and parking facilities,”
” Congestion pricing is not just a tool to reduce traffic—it’s an opportunity to transform urban mobility. By implementing it in high-traffic areas like Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai can generate crucial funds to revitalize public transport, especially the BEST bus fleet, while paving the way for a more sustainable and equitable city” said Rishi Aggarwal, Sustainable mobility expert.
Advocating for a road congestion tax in Mumbai, similar to New York, senior journalist and transport expert Vidhyadhar Date said, “Yes, it is absolutely needed, and we should charge for parking on the roads. For example, it costs almost a crore rupees to become a new member of the Otters Club in Bandra West, but it has no parking facilities of its own. All the affluent members park for free on the road, and there is no footpath. High-rise car parking towers are a big waste; they are empty. The traffic cops know about this but do nothing about the cars parked outside such towers.”
According to sources, Mumbai’s vehicle population is growing rapidly, with around 10% annual increase. A transport expert highlights the inefficiency of private vehicles, noting that a BEST bus occupies 28-32 square meters of road space and carries approximately 70 passengers per trip.
In contrast, a car takes up 7-8 square meters but transports only 4-5 passengers daily. According to another transport expert, “Vehicles occupying disproportionate space, carrying few passengers, and contributing to pollution should be liable for a substantial congestion tax.”
On the other hand, some transport experts have raised concerns that a congestion tax could disproportionately impact low-income individuals who rely on personal vehicles for commuting.
As a result, before planning the imposition of a congestion tax in Mumbai, it is necessary to carefully analyze traffic patterns, congestion hotspots, and the social implications of such a tax.
Moreover, some experts also emphasize that before implementing such a tax in Mumbai, improvements in the city’s public transportation system must be made.
“Before implementing the congestion tax, it’s critical that we enhance the frequency, reliability, and coverage of public transport options so that people have viable alternatives to using personal vehicles,” said a frequent car user Ramesh Shah ( 45) of Mulund who works with a BKC based consultancy firm.
Jagdeep Desai, Founder Trustee and Chairman of the Forum for Improving Quality of Life in Mumbai Suburbs (IQOLMS) and Former Member of the Unified Mumbai Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMMTA), emphasized the need for a tailored approach to traffic management in Indian cities.
Desai highlighted the differences in traffic patterns and infrastructure between Indian cities and foreign cities like London and New York.
According to Desai, India’s public transport system is inadequate, leading to congestion and the inefficient use of road space. He advocated for the strict enforcement of traffic laws to improve road utilization efficiency.
Desai suggested that disciplined traffic management could potentially triple the effective road space available. He argued that Mumbai needs to focus on improving the efficiency of its existing infrastructure rather than imposing additional financial burdens on citizens
Another transport expert, Jitendra Gupta, also said that before imposing any congestion tax, Mumbai needs sufficient parking infrastructure in every area. Without providing the necessary facilities, imposing such a tax will be nothing more than a highhanded decision to squeeze more tax from motorists who are already burdened with taxation.
Gupta also questioned, “Isn’t the entry of heavy vehicles prohibited in New York during peak hours?” Most advanced developed countries, like Singapore, do not allow the entry of heavy vehicles within city limits. Even for essential deliveries, medium-sized vehicles are allowed to operate within the city. For this implementation, the government’s priority should be to create necessary truck terminal infrastructure outside city limits.
While a congestion tax could provide a long-term solution to Mumbai’s traffic and pollution issues, but its successful implementation will depend on careful planning, investments in public transportation, and addressing concerns about fairness.
“Technology will also play a crucial role in ensuring the success of a congestion charge. Cameras, sensors, and mobile apps can be used to track traffic and manage the congestion tax efficiently. Furthermore, clear communication about the purpose of the tax and how the generated funds will be used will be essential in gaining public support” said another transport expert.
