Shenzhen has surpassed other cities in traffic density with 1.7 million vehicles, according to the city's communications department on Dec 8, the local online news website ycwb.com reported Monday.

More than 1.9 million cars, including transit vehicles from other parts of the country, are pushing Shenzhen's traffic capacity to the limit, according to officials at the transportation committee. With the roads' maximum bearing capacity of 2.1 million vehicles, the city will suffer severe overloading within two to three years, according the local officials.

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Figures released by the city's statistics bureau showed that by the end of last year, private cars accounted for 87.5 percent of the city's cars.

Boosting public transport is the basic way to tackle gridlock in Shenzhen, said Wang Rong, secretary of Shenzhen Municipal Committee. The government should promote the development of a smoother and more convenient public transportation system, he said.

Discussions about controlling the worsening traffic situation heated up in recent days.

Zhang Jian, a lawyer with the Shenzhen branch of Dacheng Law Offices, considered market regulation as the best way to tackle the problem. The government can restrict the use of private cars through raising parking fees and charging congestion fees, he said.

Some citizens also suggested that adding more overpasses and expediting road works can also improve the problem.