To curb traffic and pollution, BJP corporator pushes for congestion tax in Mumbai's biz hubs

MUMBAI: BJP corporator Makarand Narwekar has urged BMC to come out with a policy to implement congestion tax in the central business districts like south Mumbai and use the revenue generated to improve the city's air quality.

He wants BMC to tax private vehicles with single occupants entering high-traffic zones.Last year, MMRDA had discussed a proposal to levy a congestion fee on vehicles that spend 50 minutes or less in Bandra-Kurla Complex to ease traffic congestion in the area. However, the proposal has not moved ahead.Transport experts believe that congestion pricing is a good idea for Mumbai, if it is implemented in a holistic manner.

Amit Bhatt, India managing director of The International Council on Clean Transportation, said globally, cities are trying to manage the number of vehicles on the roads. Even car-producing countries like China have restricted the number of vehicles registered. One way of managing the number of vehicles on the roads is by restricting the registration of vehicles, and the other way is by imposing congestion tax. Cities like London, New York, and Singapore have congestion tax to manage the number of vehicles on the roads.

"If the number of vehicles increase beyond threshold, the city will be gridlocked. Unlike the West, we have heterogeneous vehicles on the road. The policy should be implemented in a slightly holistic manner and the money generated should be used for sustainable transport," he said.Endorsing the idea of congestion pricing, A V Shenoy of Mumbai Mobility Forum, said: "About 400-500 vehicles are registered every day and whatever flyovers you build, they will not be able to accommodate these many vehicles.

However, what is required is good public transport for those who don't get cars. Congestion pricing and good public transport should go hand in hand."Narwekar suggested that high-traffic zones could be demarcated using existing CCTV networks and Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras at entry points. "BMC should identify traffic-prone spots in the city and deliberate on the idea of congestion tax by charging vehicles for entering high-traffic zones. There should be a facility for automatic deduction via FASTag at checkpoints. This policy can be implemented in congested central business districts like south Mumbai on a pilot basis. This tax will also discourage unnecessary vehicle usage and encourage public transportation," the BP corporator added.