Pune: Cab and autorickshaw registrations recorded a huge jump at Pune RTO this Dhanteras period as compared to last, while those of private vehicles, including cars and two-wheelers, remained almost flat.
Pune RTO officials said the number of registrations were likely to go up as the enrolments were in the process till the late hours on Friday. “While 745 autorickshaws were registered during the in the festive period ending Dhanteras last year, as many as 1,045 three-wheelers were registered till 5pm on Friday, a rise of around 41%. Similarly, 210 cabs were registered during the same period last year as against 561 this Dhanteras, an increase of over 167%,” a Pune RTO official said.
During Dasara too, Pune RTO had recorded a major rise in the registration of cabs and autorickshaws. “Three-wheelers and cab registrations hit an all-time low in 2020 and 2021 die to the Covid-19 pandemic. But, they have picked up in a big way now. As for private vehicles, the numbers are impressive and expected to go up,” Pune regional transport officer Sanjiv Bhor said.
The Pimpri Chinchwad RTO did not release the registration data till going to the press.
Till 5pm on Friday, registration of two-wheelers were around 5% more as compared to the festive period last Dhanteras.
“While 4,564 cars were registered during the festive period last year, as many as 4,557 cars have been registered this Dhanteras,” another Pune RTO official said.
The manager of a two-wheeler showroom near the Pune station termed the number of registrations as impressive. “The two-wheeler registrations have been quite good this festive season. While we cannot disclose the exact figures, the bookings have been at least 15% more as compared to the festive period the previous year,” the manager said.
“This festive period’s figures will definitely surpass that of last. On Dhanteras, people tend to buy more of gold than vehicles. One should understand that vehicle registrations continue all through the year now and people don’t wait for special occasions like Dhanteras to invest in cars or two-wheelers. The same can be said about electric vehicles too. Close to 30,000 electric vehciles have already been registered in Pune till October this year,” the RTO official said.
Electric buses and cabs recorded 15 registrations each this festive season as against zero last year. While 1,781 electric two-wheelers were registered last year, the number of registrations stood at 1,526 till 5pm this Dhanteras. When it comes to e-cars, 111 were registered this Dhanteras as against 127 in 2022.
“The market is buoyant and vibrant. Dealers in both two- and four-wheeler segments have been demanding and stocking up new and latest models, as per demand. However, this has been a challenge too,” Sachin Vasantrao Mahajan, the president of Federation of Automobile Dealers’ Associations in Maharashtra, told TOI.
