Amidst worsening traffic jams and deteriorating air quality, a prominent citizens' group, the Watchdog Foundation, has urged the Government of Maharashtra to implement an Odd-Even Vehicle Scheme or a Colour Coding Scheme to combat Mumbai’s growing vehicular congestion and escalating pollution levels.
In an open letter addressed to key officials, including the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and the Commissioner of Traffic Police, the foundation highlighted the urgent need for regulatory measures to alleviate the city's chronic traffic woes. According to the foundation, Mumbai’s vehicle population has surged to nearly 50 lakh, with the daily addition of 193 cars and 460 two-wheelers. The city’s roads, however, have failed to keep pace with this growing demand, leading to average vehicle densities of up to 800 vehicles per kilometer in some areas.
"The daily commute has become an unbearable ordeal for Mumbaikars. On average, commuters waste over 85 minutes every day stuck in traffic. Peak hours only worsen this situation," stated the letter emailed to the Chief Minister by the Watchdog Foundation on May 11th. "Not only does this hamper productivity, but the mental and physical toll on the residents is immense."
The letter further expressed concerns about the harmful effects of the city’s worsening air quality, which has reached alarming levels, contributing to significant health risks for the public. Prolonged exposure to high pollution levels, combined with the stress of daily traffic jams, has led to an increase in road rage incidents, putting road safety at risk.
The 2 Key Interventions
To address traffic congestion and air quality concerns, the Watchdog Foundation has proposed two key interventions. The first is the Odd-Even Vehicle Scheme, which has already shown success in cities like Delhi. This scheme would limit private vehicle movement based on the parity of their registration numbers, restricting vehicles with odd numbers on some days and even numbers on others. The aim is to reduce the number of cars on the road, alleviating traffic congestion, cutting emissions, and leading to better air quality and less traffic delay.
The second proposal is a Colour Coding Scheme, where vehicles are assigned colour codes based on factors such as their fuel type, emission levels, or whether they are used for commercial or private purposes. Vehicles would be allowed to enter certain zones or roads only during designated time windows, helping regulate traffic flow, promote cleaner vehicles, and encourage the use of public transport.
Additionally, the foundation recommends launching a pilot program in high-congestion areas such as South Mumbai, Andheri, Bandra, Malad, Borivali, and BKC. Emergency services, public transport, and essential goods deliveries would be exempt from these restrictions. The foundation also suggests offering incentives for carpooling and the adoption of electric vehicles, along with conducting extensive public awareness campaigns and stakeholder consultations before implementing the scheme on a larger scale.
According to Watchdog Foundation, Mumbai needs a solution that works for everyone, from office-goers to the elderly, from those with private cars to those who rely on public transport.
Experts have backed the proposal, stating that while traffic management systems have improved in the city over the years, more radical measures are needed to address the twin issues of congestion and pollution. "The Odd-Even scheme, for instance, could drastically reduce the number of cars on the road, creating more space for smoother traffic flow and allowing for better air quality," said an urban mobility expert.
