The Nashik Regional Transport Office (RTO) witnessed a significant jump in vehicle registrations during 2025, reflecting a clear trend of citizens opting for personal mobility over public transport. The total registrations crossed the 1.42 lakh mark, marking an 18% increase from the 1.19 lakh vehicles registered in the previous year.
Two-Wheelers Dominate, Electric Vehicles Gain Traction
Breaking down the numbers, two-wheelers continued to rule the roads with 93,263 registrations. Cars, including SUVs and MUVs, followed at a distant second with 24,204 units. A notable highlight of the year was the accelerated adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). The RTO registered 14,938 e-vehicles in 2025, a sharp 27% rise from the 11,750 units registered in 2024.
Within the EV segment, electric two-wheelers were the most popular with 12,707 registrations. Electric cars accounted for 1,941 units, while other categories like goods carriers and auto-rickshaws made up the remaining numbers.
Public Transport Shortfall Fuels Private Vehicle Growth
RTO officials and citizens point to inadequate public transport as the primary driver behind this surge. Milind Jadhav, a private firm executive from Mumbai who bought a scooter for his daughter in Nashik, explained the practical reality. He stated that city buses are limited to specific routes, leaving new residential areas with poor or no connectivity, making personal vehicles a necessity despite traffic woes.
This sentiment was echoed by Sanjay Sonawane, state vice president of the Maharashtra Chambers of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture. He emphasized that the city's mass transport system is too scarce for its population of around 4 lakh people, leading to a collapse of the vehicular traffic system. Sonawane cited the success of Pune's limited metro network and argued that similar infrastructure in Nashik could persuade people to switch.
Safety Concerns Amidst Rising Numbers
The dramatic increase in vehicles on the road brings with it heightened concerns about road safety. The year 2025 saw more than 180 road fatalities in Nashik city alone, with hundreds more suffering grievous injuries annually. Nashik RTO Pradeep Shinde made a strong appeal to motorists, urging them to adhere to traffic rules strictly, as discipline is directly reflected in accident rates.
The data presents a dual challenge for Nashik: managing the growing demand for personal mobility while urgently addressing the critical gaps in public transportation and road safety infrastructure to ensure sustainable urban growth.
