Bihar records 2nd highest growth in vehicle purchase
The number of registered vehicles in Bihar has increased at an annual rate of 15.4% during 2015-16.
Bihar has registered second highest growth among all Indian states in terms of new vehicle registrations during the last five-year period from 2010 to 2016, according to the state’s economic survey for 2016-17.
According to it, the number of registered vehicles in Bihar has increased at an annual rate of 15.4% during the period. “In this regard, Bihar was the second fastest growing state in India after West Bengal (24.2%),” read the economic survey for 2016-17 that was tabled in the state assembly here on Thursday.
However, there is a darker side of statistics on this count. Despite excellent growth in new vehicle registration, Bihar ranked last among all Indian states in terms of number of vehicle per thousand of population.
The figure, on this count, stood at just 45.9 per thousand, far lower than the national average of 173.5.
According to the survey, the number of new vehicles registered in Bihar during 2015-16 was 7.04 lakh, an increase of 12.6% over the figure of just 3.9 lakh during 2010-11.
During the period, bus segment recorded the maximum annualised growth (17.2%), followed by autos (16.1%), two-wheelers (13,3%) and trucks (13.2%). Taxi segment showed zero growth during the period.
This growth also positively impacted the state’s revenue collection, which increased to Rs 1,071 crore in 2015-16 from just Rs 444 crore during 2010-11. “Revenue collection through tax on vehicle accounts for around 5% of the state’s own revenue, the survey said.
As of Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC), its revenue during 2015-16 stood at Rs 134.80 crore, a 13.35% growth over just Rs 64.06 crore during 2010-11.
Recently, Bihar Urban Development Corporation earmarked a Rs 160 crore plan that has enabled BSRTC to initiate work to provide modern facilities at 39 major bus stands in the state.