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State Halts New Auto Permits Amidst Congestion
9 Mar
Summary
- Maharashtra halts new auto permits effective March 9.
- Moratorium targets traffic congestion and air pollution.
- Over 12.96 lakh auto-rickshaws currently registered in state.
Effective March 9, the Maharashtra government has implemented a statewide moratorium on issuing new auto-rickshaw permits. This decisive action is aimed at mitigating severe traffic congestion and reducing air pollution across the state's urban centers. The decision follows a substantial increase in the number of registered auto-rickshaws.
Transport Minister Anil Sarnaik stated that the moratorium will allow the government to reassess the current transportation landscape and formulate a more balanced policy. While existing auto-rickshaw services will remain operational, the issuance of fresh permits is suspended indefinitely. This move is empowered by Section 67(3) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
Maharashtra currently has approximately 14 lakh auto-rickshaw permits. The Economic Survey 2025-26 reported over 12.96 lakh registered auto-rickshaws statewide, with Mumbai's suburbs alone hosting over 2.5 lakh vehicles. This density contributes to traffic bottlenecks and air quality issues, despite many auto-rickshaws now using CNG.
