According to statistics released by state transport ministries, Mumbai has the country's highest number of private cars plying on the road, The Times of India reported. The financial capital has 430 cars for every kilometre on the road, followed by Kolkata which has 308 cars/km, Pune at 248 cars/km and Delhi with 93 cars every kilometre.

Though the stretch of roads in the Maharashtra capital has stayed consistent at 2,000 km for a few years now, as many as 172 cars are added to the congested road space everyday. The city has seen a 56% increase in the number of private cars in the past six years. Currently, there are 8.6 lakh private cars in the city, while public transport vehicles account for only 1.64 lakh.

"It is easy to get a loan with comfortable EMIs of Rs 5,000-8,000 for a hatchback. Parking will become a nightmare if the car population goes unchecked," Mumbai Transport Forum co-convener Rishi Aggarwal told the English daily. Mumbai Environmental Social Network member Ashok Datar feels, "Public transport can never grow unless we remove cars parked on the road at least on major arteries. About 20% road space is used for car parking."