Navi Mumbai Police will deploy around 400 officers and staff between Vashi and the Kharpada toll plaza from Thursday night to manage the expected movement of vehicles travelling to Konkan for the Ganesh festival, officials said on Thursday.
The police expect nearly one lakh vehicles to pass through the Palaspe and Kharpada toll routes from September 11. The movement is expected to include around 5,800 Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation buses, private travel vehicles and light motor vehicles.
Traffic Deputy Commissioner Dr Rahul Khade announced the arrangements at a press conference in Panvel. The plan includes alternative routes, cranes, breakdown assistance and emergency-response equipment to prevent or clear congestion along the main corridors.
The state government’s concession on toll charges at the Atal Setu is expected to encourage light vehicles from Mumbai to travel towards the Kharpada toll plaza through the Palaspe route. Police said this could reduce some of the traffic pressure on Vashi, Sanpada, Belapur, the Kalamboli Circle and Panvel city. However, the expected increase in vehicles arriving at Palaspe has led to additional police deployment at the junction.
Vehicles travelling from Thane and Kalyan will be directed, where required, towards Palaspe and the Kharpada toll plaza through the route under the Uran Phata bridge, the airport road or the T-point. Police have appealed to Ganesh devotees to use these alternative routes to make the journey towards Palaspe smoother.
The deployment will include about 250 personnel from the traffic department and 150 staff from additional security arrangements. Police have also arranged cranes, garage mechanics and other equipment to deal with vehicles that break down on the road and could contribute to traffic queues.
Two breakdown vehicles will be kept available for MSRTC buses. Facilities to obtain passes for the toll concession will be made available at all Navi Mumbai Police chowkis, according to the information shared at the press conference.
Additional public amenities are also being arranged along the Palaspe-Kharpada stretch. Four hotel and dhaba operators have agreed to provide temporary toilets and drinking water after an appeal from the police, Dr Khade said.
The traffic arrangements will cover the period when the number of vehicles travelling towards Konkan is expected to rise for the festival. Police have asked travellers to follow diversions and use the designated routes while the deployment remains in place.
