Automobiles have become the biggest contributor to Mumbai’s deteriorating air quality, a study by System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research has revealed. The share of PM2.5 vehicular emission was 30.5 per cent in 2019-20, up from 16 per cent in 2016-17, said SAFAR. The findings underscore the need for scrapping of old vehicles, promoting those powered by electricity and boosting mass transit systems.

Maharashtra’s Economy Survey report for 2020-21 said Mumbai accounted for 10.3 per cent of the state’s vehicle registrations. The city’s vehicle density is now over 2,000 vehicles per km, an indicator of more traffic congestion and worsening air pollution in future. Mumbai has about 40 lakh vehicles with 11.6 lakh private cars and 24 lakh two-wheelers.