People in Himachal are purchasing private car

Cover Story

Anni This Week Team

People in Himachal are purchasing private vehicles due to many factors. With limited public transport facility available for movement, especially in rural areas, people have over the years developed a liking to own a private vehicle for personal mode of transportation. In addition, availability of road connectivity to villages provided under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY) has encouraged people to own a private four wheeler for personal mode of transportation. In addition, purchasing power of people has also increased coupled with easy loan facilities. However, keeping in view the serpentine narrow roads, people still have a liking for the small car segment though SUVs have also started finding fan following in Himachal.

* Himachal had 974,270 vehciles, transport and non-transport, registered as on March 31, 2014

* Nearly 90, 000 new vehicles registered every year

No of Registered Vehicles as on 31.03.2014 in HP

Type of Vehicle            Total Vehicle

L.M.V. (CAR)                215546

L.M.V. (IMP.)               385

L.M.V. (VAN)                9409

L.M.V.(JEEP/GYPSY)        15836

 144% Growth in One Decade

The hilly state of Himachal Pradesh was ranked second among 20 states where 144% growth in terms of cars, jeep and van as a mode of transport per 1,000 during 2001-2013 was recorded, according to survey by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) last year. The growth of four wheelers as a private mode of transportation was more than the national average of more than 95% across India and 10 states out of 20 had recorded growth higher than national average. Haryana (149%), Himachal Pradesh (144%), J&K (124%), Tamil Nadu (122%) and Karnataka (115%) are leading states which have recorded maximum growth for four wheelers, according to the study which pointed that growth rate was more in rural areas. Not only urban areas but even remote districts and areas like Lahaul & Spiti, Kinnaur and Chamba have witnessed a surge in number of private transport vehicles. Knowledgeable sources point out that people in these areas are purchasing vehicles with the compensation money received due to establishment of many projects. As the state has limited rail and air connectivity, the major connectivity is through roads in Himachal. And connectivity being extended to more and more villages, the number of households owning private vehicle for personal mode of transportation is also increasing.

90,000 New Vehicles Every Year

Himachal is witnessing continuous surge in number of all types of vehicles. The state had 974,270 vehicles, including transport and non-transport, registered as on March 31, 2014. Nearly 90, 000 new vehicles of all categories are adding to the list every year in Himachal. Approximately 95,000 new vehicles have been registered till now in 2014