Mumbai: Mumbai saw a festive spike in automobile purchases during Gudi Padwa, with bike bookings rising 21% over Gudi Padwa sales last year, reflecting a growing preference for relatively affordable and convenient personal mobility options in the city. As many as 7,568 two-wheelers were registered during this year’s festive season, as compared to 6,258 bikes last year, sources said.Meanwhile, there were more than 2,000 car bookings recorded this year, which was similar to last year’s level, although statistics showed four-wheeler bookings were 11% lower compared to the previous festival season, with 2,344 cars registered this season, as compared to 2,648 cars last year. Gudi Padwa remains one of the four biggest occasions for vehicle purchases in Mumbai, along with Akshaya Tritiya, Dussehra, and Diwali. These days are considered auspicious for starting new ventures and making major purchases, prompting many families to schedule deliveries of new vehicles around the festival.Transport experts, however, warned that the continued rise in vehicle numbers, especially two-wheelers, is adding to Mumbai’s already severe urban mobility crisis. “The current situation demands immediate attention from civic authorities to prevent further deterioration of traffic conditions,” said a transport expert.Data show that Mumbai’s total vehicle population has crossed 53 lakh, with over 15 lakh private cars and more than 31 lakh bikes. Vehicle density in the city is among the highest in the country at around 2,650 vehicles per km, putting enormous pressure on the existing road network.
