Transport safety and traffic management measures have been tightened ahead of Ganeshotsav, with four foot overbridges in Mumbai set to be closed and restrictions imposed on heavy vehicles along the Mumbai-Goa National Highway. The measures are being introduced as passenger, pedestrian and road traffic is expected to rise considerably during the festival.
Four foot overbridges at Masjid and Matunga railway stations are being closed by Central Railway following structural audits conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. Concerns over the condition and stability of the structures were raised during the assessments, following which immediate restrictions on pedestrian movement were recommended. The affected structures have been identified as the Bhandari FOB at Masjid, the Masjid station FOB, the Matunga Level Crossing FOB at Bhau Daji Road and the Matunga-Dharavi FOB near Guru Nanak High School.
A joint inspection was conducted by officials from the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai and Central Railway on August 27. Separate structural audit reports were subsequently submitted by IIT Bombay on August 31. Corrosion and deterioration of critical structural components were reportedly identified, raising concerns over the continued safety of the bridges. The closures have been described by Central Railway as a “precautionary measure”, particularly as railway stations are expected to experience increased footfall during Ganeshotsav. The civic body had also communicated with railway authorities regarding the closure and reconstruction of the structures.
Meanwhile, traffic restrictions are being implemented on the Mumbai-Goa National Highway, or NH-66, where vehicles with a gross weight of 16 tonnes or more will be prohibited during key festival travel periods. The first restriction will remain in place from 12.01 am on September 11 until 11 pm on September 15. Heavy vehicles will again be restricted from 8 am to 11 pm on September 18 for the five-day Ganpati immersion and return travel, and from 8 am on September 19 until 11 pm on September 20 during the seven-day Gauri-Ganpati immersions.
For Anant Chaturdashi and the return journey of devotees, the restriction will apply from 8 am on September 25 until 8 pm on September 26. The 16-tonne threshold will be calculated using the vehicle's total gross weight, including the goods being carried. However, vehicles transporting import and export cargo to and from Jawaharlal Nehru Port and Jaigad ports have been exempted. Exemptions have also been provided for vehicles carrying essential commodities such as milk, fuel, cooking gas cylinders, medicines, medical oxygen, foodgrains, vegetables and other perishable goods.
The restrictions are being imposed “in the public interest” as increased Konkan-bound festival traffic, combined with the movement of heavy and sand-laden vehicles, could contribute to congestion and inconvenience for travellers.