Mangalore: Soaring Petrol Price Fails to Deter New Vehicle Buyers

Prakash Samaga
Pics: Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
 
Mangalore, Jun 1: Even though there are public outbursts at the hike in price of petroleum products, it has hardly affected the increase in number of new vehicles being registered and coming on roads ever year.

People seem to be opting for a comfortable journey as there is an increase in the number of motor cars by 30 percent. While 5,368 motorcars were registered in 2011, this figure mounted to 6,979 this year at the RTO, Mangalore. As against 16,546 motorcycles newly registered in 2011, the figure rose to 20,506 this year, thus leading to a 24 percent hike in the number. Likewise, auto rickshaws increased by 42 percent this year with 874 auto rickshaws registered in 2011 and 1,245 this year.

In the case of stage carriage vehicles, 137 were registered in 2011, and this number rose to 140 this year showing a 2 percent increase. Goods vehicles increased at the rate of 7 percent as 1,372 vehicles were registered in 2011 and in 2012 there were 1,480 such vehicles registered. New registration of motor cabs increased by 19 percent with 164 motor cabs registered in 2011 and 196 motor cabs registered this year. However, in the case of maxi cabs, there is a decrease of 8 percentage as from 190 maxi cabs being registered last year, the number came down to 174 this year.
 
The rise in the auto sales in DK district is a matter of concern for many reasons. The enormity of the above projection can be gauged by the fact that motor car sales increased by 30 percent. Motor cars, as a known factor, have more thrust for fuel compared to motor cycles. Also, the problem of parking lots in the city is a major concern as year by year the situation is getting worse. People have alrheady started to feel the severity of the traffic problems in the city like those prevailing in Bangalore.
 
Unlike before, even college going students are found using cars for comfort and style. Even though many raised concerns over one person traveling in a car thereby causing more traffic density, no youngster seems to be worried as parents do not have any issue with their children spending their money. It is an irony that while auto loans are easily offered by many private banks, one has to struggle to obtain an education loan.

Speaking to Daijiworld, RTO C Mallikarjuna said that the city has well connected public transport and that people should use it. "Environment pollution is a major concern with the increase in the number of vehicles," he added.

Those who have concern for the environmental problems caused by using motor vehicles will surely make use of public transport.