Pune: Vehicle Registrations Surge 39% Ahead of Gudi Padwa, RTO Reports
Pune witnessed a significant 39% rise in vehicle registrations in the week leading up to Gudi Padwa this year compared to 2024, according to the Regional Transport Office (RTO).
Deputy RTO Swapnil Bhosle revealed that between March 20 and March 28, a total of 10,170 vehicles were registered, with numbers expected to climb further. Last year, when Gudi Padwa was on April 9, 7,336 vehicles were registered in the preceding week. In 2023, 7,706 vehicles were registered ahead of the festival on March 23. Officials noted that figures for the Pimpri Chinchwad RTO are still being calculated.
Amar J Sheth, Secretary of the Federation of Automobile Dealers’ Associations (FADA), attributed the surge to the end of an inauspicious period in early March. “After March 15, registrations picked up, and Gudi Padwa further boosted demand,” he said.
Statewide, over 663,680 vehicles were registered between January and March, with Pune RTO recording 68,522 and Pimpri Chinchwad RTO 43,236 during the same period. Sachin Mahajan, State FADA Chairman, anticipates a last-minute rush before March 30, calling it an auspicious day for purchases.
A resident from Pune shared, “I completed formalities for my new bike 10 days ago but will take delivery on March 30 for good luck.” A two-wheeler dealer on MG Road confirmed high demand for March 30 deliveries, calling it a “struggle.”
They added that a new series of choice registration numbers attracted 718 applications in two days, signaling strong festive demand.
