Pune to Cap New Auto-Rickshaw Permits as Fleet Crosses 1.5 Lakh, Authorities Cite Traffic Pressure
With over 1.5 lakh rickshaws on city roads, Pune civic body plans to cap new permits to tackle rising congestion and improve traffic management.
Pune,October 29, 2025 – The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), in coordination with the city’s traffic department and district administration, has proposed a cap on the issuance of new auto-rickshaw permits after the total number of registered rickshaws in the city crossed 1.5 lakh. The move comes amid increasing traffic congestion, frequent bottlenecks, and growing public concern over the city’s transport infrastructure being stretched beyond capacity.
A high-level review meeting was recently held at the PMC headquarters, attended by senior officials including the Municipal Commissioner, District Collector, Additional Police Commissioner, and Additional Municipal Commissioner. During the meeting, officials discussed the results of a comprehensive road and traffic survey covering 32 major routes and 52 junctions across Pune. The study revealed several key problem areas — including encroachments, misplaced electricity poles, damaged stormwater chambers, and oversized footpaths — all contributing to vehicular slowdowns and road safety concerns.
Additional Municipal Commissioner Omprakash Divte highlighted that despite the corporation’s continuous efforts to streamline traffic by clearing encroachments, relocating poles, repairing chambers, and trimming extra-wide footpaths, congestion remains a persistent issue. “With the number of auto-rickshaws already crossing one and a half lakh, the time has come to request the state government to halt new permits. Otherwise, road congestion will worsen,” he stated.
Pune, which witnesses registration of nearly four lakh new private vehicles each year, is struggling to maintain an effective balance between public and private transport systems. Officials pointed out that while auto-rickshaws are vital for last-mile connectivity, the unchecked growth of their numbers is contributing significantly to traffic congestion, particularly in densely populated areas and narrow arterial roads.
The proposed cap on new permits is seen as an immediate traffic management step. Simultaneously, authorities are focusing on long-term solutions such as expanding the Pune Metro network, strengthening the PMPML bus fleet, and improving pedestrian and cycling infrastructure. However, experts warn that unless these alternatives become efficient and affordable, restricting rickshaw permits may inconvenience commuters who rely on autos for short-distance travel.
Urban planners have suggested that any cap should be accompanied by digital tracking of existing permits to prevent illegal operations and duplication. They also recommend introducing a “green permit” policy that prioritizes electric rickshaws, thereby reducing emissions while keeping a check on numbers.
The authorities are also expected to evaluate the socio-economic impact of this move, as thousands of new drivers apply for rickshaw permits each year for livelihood opportunities. A complete freeze on new registrations may limit employment options for many, unless the government simultaneously opens avenues in other public transport or logistics services.
Meanwhile, civic officials continue to implement small but strategic measures to ease congestion — from road widening and signal synchronization to improved enforcement against illegal parking and encroachments. These actions, combined with the new permit cap, are expected to gradually improve the city’s traffic flow over the coming months.
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