Maharashtra Forms Panel to Study Ban on Petrol and Diesel Vehicles in Mumbai Region

The committee will evaluate the feasibility of transitioning to CNG and electric vehicles to address worsening air quality and traffic congestion.

The Maharashtra government has established a seven-member committee to assess the potential ban of petrol and diesel vehicles in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
The initiative follows a directive from the Bombay High Court, which highlighted vehicular emissions as a major contributor to Mumbai's declining air quality.
The panel, chaired by retired IAS officer Sudhir Kumar Shrivastava, includes key officials from transport, gas, and automobile sectors, with authority to consult additional experts.
The committee will study the feasibility of transitioning to CNG and electric vehicles and is expected to submit its findings within three months.
Concerns have been raised about the potential economic and infrastructural challenges, such as insufficient EV charging networks and the financial burden on citizens.