Nagpur: Nagpur’s roads are coming under mounting pressure as the city witnesses an unchecked surge in vehicle registrations, raising serious concerns about traffic congestion, air quality and the sustainability of urban mobility. Data from the Regional Transport Office (RTO) reveals that nearly 2.5 lakh new vehicles were added to the city’s streets over the last three years, pushing the total number of registered vehicles in Nagpur to a staggering 22.18 lakh.
The year-wise data reflects a consistent and worrying upward trend. In 2022–23, the city registered 73,564 new vehicles. This rose sharply to 84,542 in 2023–24 and further climbed to 91,355 in 2024–25. The addition of over 10,000 vehicles annually has intensified the strain on existing road infrastructure, much of which has seen limited expansion.
Transport experts caution that unless immediate and coordinated measures are taken, such as strengthening public transport, regulating parking, and improving traffic planning, Nagpur could face severe congestion, longer commute times and rising pollution levels in the near future.
Gold Rate
07 Feb 2026
Two-wheelers continue to dominate the city’s vehicle landscape, underlining both their affordability and the lack of reliable mass transport alternatives. Registrations of two-wheelers increased from 50,944 in 2022–23 to 57,269 in 2023–24 and further to 63,665 in 2024–25. At present, Nagpur has 17.66 lakh registered two-wheelers, accounting for the bulk of the city’s vehicular population.
Car ownership is also steadily rising. Annual car registrations increased from 15,656 three years ago to 17,696 in 2024–25, taking the total number of cars in the city to 2.5 lakh. The city’s expanding boundaries, mushrooming residential complexes and a growing workforce are cited as key drivers behind this trend.
Cab services have recorded the fastest rate of growth, reflecting changing travel patterns and the rise of app-based mobility. From just 336 new registrations in 2022–23, the number of cabs added surged to 1,177 in 2024–25. Nagpur currently has 13,295 registered taxis.
The city also has 41,920 auto-rickshaws, though new registrations in this segment have slowed. In addition, Nagpur’s transport mix includes 2,288 school buses, 1,137 ambulances and 50,189 delivery vans, further adding to road congestion, especially during peak hours.
Urban planners warn that without a clear long-term mobility roadmap, Nagpur risks moving towards a traffic crisis. They stress the urgent need for policy intervention to promote public transport, non-motorised travel and smarter traffic management to ensure the city’s growth does not come at the cost of livability.
