Traffic jam

Driven by growth in two-wheelers, the country's motor vehicle population is touching new heights, which does not augur well from a pollution standpoint.

A massive traffic jam in Mumbai after a brief spell of rain.

The combined domestic sales of motor vehicles (of all categories) has continued its upward trend in the fiscal year gone by, growing 6.8 per cent from 204.68 lakh to 218.62 lakh, on the back of strong sales in the two-wheeler segment, according to data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers. This augurs well from an industry and economy perspective but not from an environment and pollution standpoint, especially since the country's total motor vehicle population is reaching alarmingly high numbers.

The total number of registered motor vehicles oin the country as on March 31, 2015 stood at just over 21 crore. Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh topped the States, each State home to more than 2 crore vehicles; together the three States accounted for more than 33 per cent of the nationwide figure. The number of registered motor vehicles per 1,000 population has gone up from 53 in 2001 to 167 in 2015.

In 2016-17, domestic sales of passenger vehicles rose 9.2 per cent from the previous year to 30,46,727, while two-wheelers grew 6.9 per cent to 1,75,89,511.