Pune: Vehicle registrations at Pune regional transport office (RTO) fell by almost 26% this year during Navaratra period compared to the corresponding period last year.However, there was a marginal increase of roughly 5% in the registration of EVs during the same period this year. This year, between Oct 10 and Oct 19, a total of 10,534 vehicles were registered, compared to 14,168 vehicles registered last year between Sept 22 and Nov 1. When it comes to EVs, a total of 1,638 units were registered against 1,566 last year, RTO data showed.However, officials said the fall in registrations was not a cause for concern. “The Dasara period does record new vehicle registrations, but the real surge happens during Dhanteras and Diwali, which fall next month. A majority of people buy new items, including vehicles, during Dhanteras. Hence, we believe that many buyers must have already booked vehicles for next month,” a senior RTO official told TOI.Among non-EV registrations this year, two-wheelers topped the list, followed by cars. While a total of 7,046 two-wheelers were registered, car registrations stood at 2,595. These were followed by cabs, which saw 507 registrations. “We are seeing a decent jump in registration of goods vehicles. This year during the festival, 507 of them were registered. In the EV segment, a total of 44 goods vehicles have been registered,” the official said.When it came to EVs, two-wheeler registrations were the highest at 1,182, followed by cars at 382. “We are positive that during Dhanteras and Diwali, vehicle registrations will be much higher and will surpass the figures of the corresponding period last year. Overall, vehicle registrations have been on the higher side,” another RTO official pointed out.The total number of registered vehicles in the Pune Metropolitan Region stands at roughly 82 lakh, with around 1,300 new vehicles being registered every day.Hadapsar resident and working professional Prajakta Deshmukh said she had booked a two-wheeler and its delivery will be made on Dhanteras. “We thought of getting it on Dasara, which fell on Tuesday, but then we dropped the idea as Dhanteras is a very auspicious day to buy new things. We already have a couple of two-wheelers at home, and if the public transport system in the city were perfect, we wouldn’t have bought so many personal vehicles,” the bank professional said.
