Restrictions on heavy vehicle movement have been imposed on the Mumbai-Goa National Highway (NH-66) ahead of Ganeshotsav. The Maharashtra government has taken the step to ensure a safer and smoother journey for lakhs of devotees travelling to Konkan for the festival.
The Transport Department has issued the order under the Motor Vehicles Act. Accordingly, multi-axle trucks, trailers and other heavy goods vehicles with a carrying capacity of 16 tonnes or more will be barred from entering the highway during specified periods.
The number of vehicles travelling towards Konkan rises sharply during Ganeshotsav, with additional MSRTC buses, private vehicles and other passenger vehicles contributing to congestion on the Mumbai-Goa Highway. The movement of vehicles carrying sand, gravel and other heavy materials further adds to traffic disruptions.
To prevent severe congestion, the government has decided to impose restrictions on heavy vehicles in four phases.
When will the restrictions be in place?
Phase 1 — Pre-Ganeshotsav travel to Konkan
Restrictions will be in force from 12.01 am on September 11, 2026, until 11 pm on September 15.
Phase 2 — Immersion of five-day Ganpati idols
Heavy vehicles will be barred from 8 am to 11 pm on September 18.
Phase 3 — Gauri-Ganpati immersion
Restrictions will remain in force from 8 am on September 19 until 11 pm on September 20.
Phase 4 — Anant Chaturdashi
Heavy vehicles will be prohibited from entering the highway from 8 am on September 25 until 8 pm on September 26.
Which vehicles are exempt?
Vehicles carrying essential commodities and those involved in emergency services have been exempted to ensure that essential supplies and critical services are not affected.
The exemptions include vehicles transporting milk, petrol, diesel, domestic LPG cylinders, medicines, liquid medical oxygen, vegetables, food grains and other perishable essential commodities.
Ambulances, police vehicles, fire brigade vehicles, disaster management teams and other emergency service vehicles will also be exempt from the restrictions.
Exemption for Mumbai-Goa Highway work
Vehicles transporting materials required for the widening and repair of the Mumbai-Goa Highway will also be allowed to operate subject to certain conditions. Such vehicles, however, must carry an entry pass issued by the traffic police or highway police.
The Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner and police superintendents of the respective districts may also grant conditional exemptions depending on local traffic conditions.
The move is expected to provide significant relief from traffic congestion to the lakhs of devotees travelling from Mumbai to Konkan during Ganeshotsav, as well as those returning to Mumbai after the festivities.
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