The Navi Mumbai Police have deployed around 400 officers and personnel from Thursday night to manage the expected surge of vehicles heading towards Konkan for Ganeshotsav from September 11.
Nearly one lakh vehicles, including ST buses, private tourist buses and light vehicles, are expected to travel through the Palaspe and Kharpada toll routes during the festive rush.
To prevent congestion, police have prepared alternative routes and deployed cranes, breakdown vehicles and emergency services along the key stretches between Vashi and Kharpada.
With the Maharashtra government providing toll relief on the Atal Setu for vehicles travelling towards Konkan, light vehicles from Mumbai are expected to use the Atal Setu and proceed towards Palaspe and the Kharpada toll plaza. Police personnel have been deployed at Palaspe to manage the additional traffic.
Vehicles arriving from Thane and Kalyan will be diverted towards Palaspe and Kharpada through routes via the Uran Phata underpass, airport road and T-Point, depending on traffic conditions.
The traffic department has deployed around 250 personnel, along with another 150 personnel for additional security arrangements. Cranes and mechanics have also been kept ready to remove vehicles that break down and prevent them from causing traffic jams.
Two breakdown vehicles have been arranged specifically for ST buses.
Police stations and chowkies in Navi Mumbai will also facilitate the distribution of passes required to avail the toll concession.
For the convenience of Ganesh devotees, four hotels and roadside eateries between Palaspe and Kharpada have arranged temporary toilets and drinking water facilities following an appeal from the police.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Rahul Khade said preparations had been underway for the past 15 days in coordination with the concerned departments to ensure that traffic movement remains as smooth as possible during the festival.
Police have appealed to devotees travelling towards Konkan to use the designated alternative routes and cooperate with traffic personnel.
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