Traffic Restrictions for Heavy Vehicles on Mumbai-Goa National Highway During Ganeshotsav

Mumbai : In the interest of public safety during Ganeshotsav, restrictions have been imposed on vehicles with a weight capacity of 16 tons or more on National Highway 66 (Mumbai to Goa) under the provisions of Section 155 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The restriction will apply to the stretch between Mumbai and Sawantwadi.

The ban will be in effect from midnight on September 5 until 11:00 PM on September 8, as part of the preparatory journey for Ganeshotsav. Additionally, during the immersion of 5- and 7-day Ganesh idols, Gauri Ganpati immersions, and the return journey on September 11 from 8:00 PM until September 13 at 11:00 PM, and for the immersion of 11-day Ganesh idols on Anant Chaturdashi from 8:00 AM on September 17 until 8:00 PM on September 18, 2024, traffic restrictions will be in place.

Outside the restricted periods on this highway, vehicles with a weight capacity of 16 tons or more will be permitted to operate from 11:00 PM on September 8 to 8:00 AM on September 11, and from 11:00 PM on September 13 to 8:00 AM on September 17. Regular traffic will be allowed for all vehicles after 8:00 PM on September 18.

These restrictions will not apply to vehicles transporting essential goods such as milk, petrol or diesel, cooking gas cylinders, liquid medical oxygen, food grains, vegetables, and perishable items. Additionally, vehicles involved in the transport of materials for road widening, road repairs, and related construction on National Highway 66 between Mumbai and Goa will not be subject to the ban. Relevant traffic departments and highway police are instructed to issue entry permits to transporters as necessary.

Taking into consideration the influx of Ganesh devotees and the condition of the highways in Konkan, the Police Commissioner of Navi Mumbai and the Superintendents of Police of the respective districts are advised to take appropriate decisions regarding easing restrictions on heavy vehicles, as per the prevailing situation. Additionally, the transport of import-export goods from JNPT and Jaigarh Port will continue as planned, according to the orders issued by Additional Secretary Rajendra Holkar.