In a significant step to tackle Mumbai’s worsening air quality, the Maharashtra government has formed a seven-member panel to assess the feasibility of banning petrol and diesel vehicles in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Headed by retired IAS officer Sudhir Kumar Shrivastava, the committee will submit its recommendations within three months.

The move follows the Bombay High Court’s concern over vehicular emissions, a major contributor to pollution. The MMR, encompassing Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, and Palghar, registered 2.79 lakh new vehicles in 2024, marking a 9.89% rise from the previous year.

The panel includes officials from transport, traffic police, and the automotive industry and can seek expert input. If implemented, this shift to CNG and electric vehicles could align Mumbai with global sustainability efforts while significantly reshaping its transit landscape.