Ganeshotsav 2024: Heavy vehicles banned, toll exempted on "these" Konkan routes

To ensure a smooth and safe journey for Ganesha devotees traveling from Mumbai to Konkan during Ganeshotsav, a traffic ban on heavy vehicles will be in effect on the Mumbai-Goa highway from September 5 to 18. The Home Department has issued orders to this effect, aiming to prevent traffic congestion and ensure uninterrupted travel for devotees.

Thousands of people from Mumbai and neighbouring regions travel to their native places in the coastal Konkan region to celebrate the Ganesh Chaturthi festival every year.

Tirupati Kakade, Deputy Commissioner of Police for Navi Mumbai Traffic Department, announced that heavy vehicles, specifically those weighing 16 tonnes or more, will be prohibited from travelling on National Highway No. 66 during this period. The restriction were enforced from 12 pm on September 5 to 8 pm on September 18.

To manage traffic effectively during Ganeshotsav, the Navi Mumbai Transport Department has deployed a comprehensive police force including 1 Deputy Commissioner of Police, 1 Assistant Commissioner of Police, 15 Police Inspectors, 31 Assistant Police Inspectors/Police Sub-Inspectors, 610 Police Enforcers, and 91 Wardens.

In addition to the traffic ban, the Navi Mumbai Transport Department has established facility centres at six key locations Vashi Toll Gate, Airoli Toll Gate, Dhansar Toll Gate, Kalamboli Circle, Palaspe Circle, and Karnala Pass. These centres will provide essential services such as medical aid, fire brigade assistance, mechanical support for vehicle breakdowns, emergency communication via wireless systems, and crane facilities.

Toll exemption

The Maharashtra government has exempted vehicles plying on Konkan routes from paying toll or road tax between September 5 and 19 in view of the Ganesh festival, beginning Saturday, September 7.

Konkan-bound vehicles travelling on the Mumbai-Bengaluru and Mumbai-Goa national highways, and state highways.

Vehicles must obtain a pass issued by RTO officials and the traffic police department to avail of the road tax payment exemption, as per the notification.

The PWD also issued a standard pass format with its official notification. The pass document is valid for the vehicle's return journey and serves as the qualifying document for toll payment exemption, it stated.