In preparation for the upcoming 10-day Ganesh festival, heavy vehicles will be prohibited on the Mumbai-Goa National Highway (NH-66), starting August 26. The 500 km stretch, often crowded with Ganesh devotees, will ban vehicles weighing 16 tonnes or more from August 23 to 28, with further restrictions on major immersion days, including August 31 and September 6-7.

This restriction complements an existing ban on heavy vehicles along the treacherous Bor Ghat section of the Mumbai-Pune Highway (NH-48), which was implemented on August 19 following a series of accidents, including a severe multi-vehicle crash. The primary goal of these measures is to enhance safety by reducing congestion and preventing accidents, especially as large numbers of devotees travel through the winding ghat roads of the Konkan region during the festival.

Exemptions will be granted for trucks transporting essential commodities such as milk, fuel, and medicines. Special traffic passes and dedicated cargo corridors will help minimise disruption to supply chains. These coordinated steps are designed to balance public safety with practical needs, ensuring a smoother and safer festive travel experience for all.