2,000 vehicles sold in Navratri: Data

Experts have said authorities in Chandigarh, a city with the highest vehicle density in the country, must take steps to make its public transport system robust to ease the already congested city roads.

vehicles sold, navratri, punjab news, indian express

Data revealed that 964 petrol based two-wheelers and 436 petrol-based cars were registered. Also, 53 electric cars, 59 hybrid cars, and 93 electric two-wheelers, were also bought by people. (Express Archives/ representational)

Around two thousand new vehicles were bought by Chandigarh residents in the nine days of Navratri.

As many as 1,861 vehicles were registered from October 3 to October 11, according to the details shared by the Chandigarh Registering and Licensing Authority (RLA). Several people purchase new vehicles in this period, which is considered auspicious as per Hindu religion.

Data revealed that 964 petrol based two-wheelers and 436 petrol-based cars were registered. Also, 53 electric cars, 59 hybrid cars, and 93 electric two-wheelers, were also bought by people.

RLA data showed 24 CNG cars and 153 new diesel cars were also purchased during this period.

From 2014 till date that is 2024, Chandigarh has added approximately 4.69 lakh vehicles to its already crumbling infrastructure.

Even as there have been discussions and debates on the need to strengthen the public transport on the lines of countries abroad, the Union Territory’s (UT’s) residents prefer personal vehicles.

Since Covid, more cars than two-wheelers

Prior to the Covid year of 2020, more two-wheelers than four-wheelers were registered in Chandigarh. After Covid, however, the mood in the ‘City Beautiful’ began to change.

Story continues below this ad

In 2014, 29,859 two-wheelers and 21,476 cars were registered in Chandigarh, while 28,936 two-wheelers and 21,365 cars were registered in 2015. In 2016 and 2017, 28,794 and 30,341 two-wheelers, and 21,073 and 21,765 new cars were added, respectively.

All these years, the number of electric vehicles registered in the city was zero, except in 2017, when 13 electric cars and one electric two-wheeler were bought.

In 2018, 2019 and 2020, 29,698, 25,698 and 15,148 two-wheelers were registered in Chandigarh respectively. In these three years, 20,120, 18,975 and 15,402 cars were purchased. However, after 2020, four-wheeler registrations overtook two-wheeler registrations.

In 2021, as many as 20,437 cars were registered, while 16,527 two-wheelers were added. In 2022, there were 21,829 new two-wheelers and 25,415 new four-wheelers. In 2023, car registrations beat the two-wheeler registrations again as 26,515 cars and 20,278 two-wheelers were added.

Story continues below this ad

Experts have said authorities in Chandigarh, a city with the highest vehicle density in the country, must take steps to make its public transport system robust to ease the already congested city roads.

The ‘City Beautiful’ desperately requires the need to make a robust smart public transport else its roads that are already burgeoning under the high vehicle density will be choked and cramped entirely, experts warned.

Hina Rohtaki

Hina Rohtaki is a Special Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. She is one of the most prominent journalists covering the Chandigarh Administration, civic issues, and the unique political status of the Union Territory. Professional Background Experience: She has been in the field for over a decade and is known for her investigative reporting on administrative waste and urban governance. Awards: She is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award, which was presented to her by the President of India in January 2020. She was also awarded the Jethmalani prize (The Will of Steel Awards) in 2025 in the Empowerment category for a series of articles that highlighted the struggles of Covid widows. Core Beat: Her primary focus is the Chandigarh administrative structure, the Union Territory's financial management, and urban development projects. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent work highlights a focus on government accountability, administrative expenditures, and civic trends: 1. Investigative & Financial Reporting "Fuelling power: Senior UT IAS officers guzzled petrol worth Rs 30 lakh in 2 yrs" (Dec 14, 2025): An investigative report detailing the high fuel bills of top bureaucrats, including the Finance Secretary and Chief Secretary’s staff. "Admn spends Rs 1.5 crore on dismantling road railings and fixing again after increasing height" (Dec 8, 2025): Highlighting administrative waste on "non-viable" solutions for pedestrian control. "Chandigarh’s finances under ministry’s watch now" (Nov 27, 2025): Reporting on the new requirement for MHA approval for all new projects in the UT. 2. Governance & Constitutional Status "What will it mean for Chandigarh if it is brought under Article 240?" (Nov 24, 2025): An "Explained" piece on the potential constitutional shift that would grant the President more power over the UT's governance. "MP Manish Tewari moves Bill seeking directly elected Mayor with 5-year tenure" (Dec 6, 2025): Covering the legislative push to reform Chandigarh's municipal leadership structure. "No proposal to increase Mayor's term in Chandigarh by 5 years: Centre" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on the Union government's response to demands for a longer mayoral term. 3. Urban Infrastructure & Environment "Chandigarh admn cuts power to India's tallest air purifier, asks firm to dismantle it" (Nov 17, 2025): A critical report on the failure of a high-cost environmental project deemed "of no use" by experts. "UT rethinks 24/7 water supply project as costs soar" (Nov 26, 2025): Detailing the financial challenges and delays in modernizing the city's water network. "Centre 'obfuscating, covering up' MC's shifting deadlines for clearing Dadu Majra dump" (Dec 12, 2025): Reporting on the ongoing controversy surrounding the city's major waste dump. 4. Lifestyle & Local Trends "Chandigarh turns into a Thar city as women fuel the surge" (Dec 2, 2025): A feature on a unique automotive trend in the city, with a record 600 registrations by women drivers this year. "After fivefold spike in 2023, EV sales struggle to pick pace in Chandigarh" (Dec 2, 2025): Analyzing the slowdown in electric vehicle adoption despite previous surges. Signature Beat Hina is known for her meticulous tracking of RTI (Right to Information) data to expose administrative inefficiency. Her "Ground Zero" reporting on the Dadu Majra garbage dump and her scrutiny of the Chandigarh Smart City projects have made her a key figure in the city’s civil society discourse. X (Twitter): @HinaRohtaki ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram