Pune May Bar Vehicles Older Than 15 Years; Proposal Sent to State Government, Over 7 Lakh Vehicles Likely to Be Affected

Pune could soon witness a sweeping change on its roads as the district administration moves to clamp down on ageing vehicles in a bid to fight worsening air pollution and daily traffic gridlock. Authorities are preparing to seek state approval for restricting the entry of vehicles that are more than 15 years old within city limits — a step that may significantly reshape the city’s traffic landscape.

The proposal is being put forward by Regional Transport Authority Chairman and District Collector Jitendra Hudi, who is set to submit it to the Maharashtra state government for clearance. If the plan receives the green signal, more than seven lakh vehicles would no longer be permitted to ply on Pune’s roads.

Over 7 Lakh Vehicles Fall in the 15+ Year Category

Data from the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) shows that:

6,83,411 private vehicles in the city are over 15 years old

46,284 transport-category vehicles have also crossed the 15-year mark

Two-wheelers form the biggest chunk of these ageing vehicles. As many as 5,12,575 motorcycles and scooters fall into this category, making them the largest segment likely to be impacted if the restriction is enforced.

Earlier Measures Failed to Deter Usage

The Central Transport Ministry had already attempted to discourage the continued use of older vehicles by increasing renewal registration charges for vehicles older than 15 years. Additionally, a “Green Tax” was introduced for such vehicles.

Despite these financial disincentives, many vehicle owners have continued to operate their old vehicles, choosing to pay the higher fees and taxes rather than replace them. Authorities believe these measures have not been sufficient to meaningfully reduce the number of ageing vehicles on the road.

Expected Impact If Implemented

Officials estimate that removing around seven lakh vehicles from circulation could bring significant environmental and traffic benefits:

Overall pollution levels could drop by 80–90%

Toxic pollutants and nitrogen oxides may reduce by nearly 70%

Traffic congestion across the city is expected to ease considerably

It is also noted that approximately 20 lakh vehicles in Pune currently comply with BS-4 emission standards.

Work has already begun at the Pune RTO to compile and verify detailed vehicle data as part of the preparation process before the proposal is formally sent for approval.

Following the Path of Delhi and Mumbai

Pune’s move appears to align with similar measures taken in other major cities.

Delhi has imposed a ban on petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10 years.

Strict enforcement of these restrictions in Delhi is scheduled to begin from July 1, 2025.

Mumbai has adopted a different strategy to manage congestion by restricting the entry of heavy vehicles such as trucks and trailers during peak hours.

Heavy vehicles are barred from entering Mumbai between 7 AM to 11 AM and 5 PM to 9 PM.

Decision from the state government will determine whether Pune joins the list of cities enforcing strict limits on ageing vehicles. If approved, the measure could mark a major turning point in the city’s fight against pollution and traffic congestion. For lakhs of vehicle owners, however, the proposal may mean tough choices ahead — either upgrading to newer models or finding alternative modes of transport as Pune attempts to steer toward cleaner and less congested roads.