Pune: In a concerning trend, Pune’s private vehicle count has soared to a staggering 35,94,132, marking a massive increase of 86,205 vehicles compared to the previous year. According to the recently released ‘Environment Current Status’ report by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) for the year 2022-23, the city’s private vehicle numbers have witnessed a substantial rise over the past 17 years, posing significant challenges to the city’s environment and infrastructure.
The report indicates that in 2006, the total number of registered private vehicles was 13,53,113. However, as of June 2023, this figure has jumped by an alarming 22,41,019, a rise attributed to rapid urbanization and population growth. While there was a slight decline in new vehicle registrations in the city after 2019, the year 2022 saw a significant spike with 2,55,757 new vehicles joining the city’s roads.
Additionally, the data revealed a decline in the purchase of two-wheelers in Pune. In 2020, 1,49,235 vehicles were registered, which marginally increased to 1,69,552 in 2021. Despite this, the overall surge in private vehicles remains a critical concern.
The PMC’s report also highlighted the city’s dependency on private transport, with a mere 2,079 buses operated by the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMP) to serve its burgeoning population. Among these, only 1,421 buses are powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), and a mere 458 are electric buses. The lack of an efficient and widespread public transport system has further fueled the growth of private vehicles on Pune’s streets.
Moreover, the report revealed an interesting environmental fact – Pune boasts an impressive count of 51,37,632 trees within its boundaries, surpassing its population of approximately 45 lakhs. The Park Department of the PMC conducted a comprehensive tree count using the Geographic Information System (GIS) to determine this remarkable number. With 211 parks spread across the city, Pune’s green cover provides a much-needed respite amidst the urban landscape.
However, the rapid increase in private vehicles poses a significant challenge to Pune’s environment. Air pollution has been a growing concern, and experts stress the urgency of strengthening the public transport system to reduce the dependency on private vehicles. Though efforts were made to bolster the public transport network by adding 150 buses to PMP’s fleet in August 2022, the progress seems to have stalled since then.
In a concerning revelation, 327 buses have been in service for over 11 to 12 years, surpassing their intended lifespan. The lack of timely replacements not only impacts commuters’ comfort but also contributes to air pollution as aging vehicles become less fuel-efficient and more emission-prone.
The PMC and relevant authorities must take immediate action to address the growing traffic and environmental challenges. Prioritizing the expansion of efficient public transportation and introducing eco-friendly buses will be crucial steps in curbing the private vehicle surge and ensuring a sustainable and cleaner future for Pune.
