The Pune district administration is considering a bold new move to improve air quality and reduce traffic chaos by restricting vehicles older than 15 years from operating within the city limits. A formal proposal is being drafted by District Collector and RTA Chairman Jitendra Dudi and will soon be submitted to the Maharashtra state government for approval.
What the Proposed Ban Would Mean
If the proposal gets the green light, more than 7 lakh vehicles — including private cars, commercial vehiclesand especially older two-wheelers — will be affected. Data from the Pune Regional Transport Office shows that over 6,83,411 private vehicles and 46,284 transport vehicles in the district are currently more than 15 years old. Among these, roughly 5,12,575 are two-wheelersa key mode of daily commute for many residents.
Two-wheelers form the bulk of the older vehicles on Pune’s roads because many owners buy used bikes and scooters due to their lower costs, and keep them running for years owing to their affordability. A ban would directly affect such daily commuters and small business owners who rely on older vehicles for transportation.
Why Pune Is Considering the Ban
Pune’s air quality has been worsening in recent years due to increasing vehicle emissions and traffic congestion. Vehicular emissions contribute significantly to urban air pollution, which in India stems from vehicles, dust, industry, and other sources.
Authorities believe that phasing out older vehicles — which generally pollute more due to outdated technology and wear-and-tear — could help reduce pollution by 20–30 per cent and ease traffic pressures on major roads. The city has seen rapid vehicular growth, leading to frequent congestion on key arterials, and officials hope this ban will push residents toward cleaner and safer transport alternatives.
Precedents and Polluting Vehicle Policies
Age-based restrictions on vehicles are not new in India. In Delhi-NCRolder petrol and diesel vehicles have faced bans and fuel restrictions aimed at tackling smog, although legal challenges and public pushback have temporarily halted enforcement.
Critics of such blanket bans argue that pollution does not always directly correlate with age, and that well-maintained older vehicles can meet emission standards. They say that policies should instead focus on emission norms and vehicle fitness rather than rigid age limits.
What Happens Next
Pune’s proposal still needs state government approval before it can be implemented. Authorities will consult stakeholders, evaluate potential impacts on daily commuters, and weigh concerns of fairness and feasibility. If approved, the city could become one of the first in Maharashtra to implement strict age-based vehicle entry restrictions aimed at combating pollution and improving urban mobility.
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