{
  "id": 6416018,
  "title": "Mumbai Traffic: Congestion Tax For Peak-Hour Driving May Be Considered Once Public Transport Improves, Says BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/mumbai-traffic-congestion-tax-for-peak-hour-driving-may-be-considered",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-09T11:19:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-traffic-congestion-tax-for-peak-hour-driving-may-be-considered-once-public-transport-improves-says-bmc-commissioner-ashwini-bhide"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mumbai's roads may soon see a congestion tax for drivers during peak hours, according to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Ashwini Bhide. The idea of charging motorists for entering congested areas during high-traffic times is being considered once the city's public transportation system is improved. Bhide made this statement on the Sushasan podcast, suggesting that congestion pricing could be a potential solution to Mumbai's traffic woes if the city develops a more reliable public transport network. She cited examples of Singapore and London, both of which have successfully implemented congestion charges due to their robust public transport systems. Bhide emphasized that an efficient public transport network, along with higher costs for private vehicle use and parking, could encourage people to opt for public transport. The idea of a congestion charge in Mumbai has been proposed before, with BJP corporator Makarand Narwekar urging the civic administration to design and pilot such a system targeting single-occupant private vehicles in South Mumbai's busiest areas during peak hours.",
  "summary": "Mumbai: Motorists in Mumbai could likely have to pay a congestion charge to drive through some of the city's busiest areas during peak hours, with Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Ashwini Bhide saying authorities could consider such a system once commuters have a reliable public transport alternative. Mumbai routinely witnesses heavy traffic congestion during peak hours,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}