Could a Congestion Charge Zone work in Mumbai?

A number of months ago I blogged about London’s Congestion Charge Zone (CCZ) which charges motorists 8 pounds when they enter the city's designated zone from 7am in the morning to 6pm in the evening. It has been heavily praised and vigorously condemned from citizens all over the city. Despite its contestation and political controversy, it has increased public transit ridership and has led to an overall decrease in traffic congestion in the city along with a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.

The CCZ scheme is effective in London as the statistics clearly demonstrate. Could such a system work in Mumbai, India? Its population is about 13.9 million not to mention a population density of 21,000 people per square kilometer. Automobiles are ubiquitous. They are inexpensive and everyone has one. If Mumbai brings about a CCZ the state (not city) would charge residents a cost (to be determined). This is one solution however, the city is also looking at other options. For instance, it may build a metro system connecting the densely populated suburbs of east and west Mumbai. It may implement a Bus Rapid transit system similar to the one in Curitiba, Brazil. They are also exploring air conditioned train coaches.

Mumbai appears to have many options. The IT company Mastek, who was principally responsible for putting London’s CCZ into practice, is being turned to for solutions. The CCZ has proven to work in the massive metropolis of London but implementing such a system in Mumbai could face tremendous social and economic opposition. Public transit infrastructure desperately needs revitalization. Many of the city’s residents simply drive because cars are cheap, more convenient and more dependable than the eroding and dilapidated transit services.

The city has a documented propensity to spend a lot of capital on city infrastructure. The only problem is that this time around the capital is non-existent, and hence public transit has no money. The key point is that reducing aggregate emissions from vehicles will only take place with a good public transit system. An adequate transit system would have unambiguous advantages, the risk however is that the residents may not even use it- frustrated about how they are being taxed and they could even condemn it stating that driving is cheaper than taking the transit.

Key message: A CCZ in Mumbai would undoubtedly raise the necessary capital to expend on public transit revitalization. It would also help with Mumbai’s pollution challenges. But it may be economically burdensome on the city’s residents who are highly dependent on using the roads.