The Maharashtra government has imposed time-bound restrictions on heavy vehicles weighing 16 tonnes or more on National Highway 66 during key Ganeshotsav travel and immersion periods in September 2026, aiming to reduce congestion as passenger traffic to the Konkan region rises.
The order, reported by Loksatta and attributed to the state transport department, covers the Mumbai–Goa highway corridor. It applies to all types of heavy vehicles with a gross weight of 16 tonnes or above, including trailers and vehicles commonly used to transport sand and other bulk materials.
The first restriction will begin at 12:01 a.m. on September 11 and remain in force until 11 p.m. on September 15. This period covers the movement of idols and preparatory travel before the festival. The government has also announced restrictions during the return journeys associated with different immersion schedules.
For the five-day Ganpati immersion and return travel, heavy vehicles will be restricted from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on September 18. The restrictions for the seven-day Gauri-Ganpati immersion and return travel will apply from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on September 19 and until 11 p.m. on September 20. For Anant Chaturdashi, the restriction will begin at 8 a.m. on September 25 and continue until 8 p.m. on September 26.
The government said the decision was intended to make travel safer and more convenient for devotees travelling to the Konkan region. Additional State Transport buses are operated during the festival, while private vehicle volumes also increase substantially. According to the order’s stated rationale, the presence of heavy vehicles during these periods can add to congestion on the highway and disrupt passenger movement.
The restrictions will not apply to vehicles carrying essential supplies and services. Exemptions include vehicles transporting import and export consignments from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority and Jaigarh Port, as well as vehicles carrying milk, petrol, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas cylinders, medicines, liquid oxygen, vegetables, food grains and perishable goods.
Ambulances, police vehicles, fire engines, disaster-management vehicles and other vehicles involved in essential services will also be exempt. The order therefore distinguishes between freight traffic that can be restricted during peak festival movement and supplies or services that require uninterrupted access along the corridor.
The Navi Mumbai police commissioner and the superintendents of police in the concerned districts have been authorised to relax the restrictions when required after reviewing local conditions. The order does not specify a separate diversion plan for vehicles affected by the ban. Enforcement arrangements and any local changes will therefore depend on the relevant police authorities during each restriction period.
