Drive home toll-free from Mumbai during Ganesh festival, courtesy Maharashtra govt

State minister Eknath Shinde announced that vehicles travelling to Konkan via Pune and Kolhapur between September 10 and September 13 will be exempted from paying toll. However, vehicles will need to bear a certain sticker provided by traffic police and RTOs to avail of this.

The state government has decided to waive off toll on vehicles travelling from Mumbai, Thane to Konkan via Pune expressway and Mumbai-Goa highway for Ganeshotsav festival. Eknath Shinde, who is minister for public works department (public undertaking) and is guardian minister of Thane, announced that vehicles travelling to Konkan via Pune and Kolhapur between September 10 and September 13 will be exempted from paying toll.

Many are expected to leave for home through the Pune Expressway during the Ganeshotsav festivities. (HT Photo)

Shinde said motorists can avail the toll waiver only if the vehicle has a sticker that will be provided by traffic police and regional transport offices (RTOs). “Motorists who are travelling to their hometowns for the festival can get a sticker that says, ‘Ganeshotsav-2018 Konkan Darshan’ from the traffic police and regional transport RTOs.” He added that motorists returning to Mumbai, Thane from Konkan after the festival ends, too, will not have to pay toll on September 23.

The minister said many people travel to their hometowns during the festival and the four-day toll exemption would reduce jams at toll booths and provide a smooth travelling experience. “The toll waiver will also be applicable for Maharashtra state transport buses,” Shinde added. The state transport buses are run by Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC).

Shinde said he has instructed his department and the PWD to expedite the road repair work along the highway. “The work to fill up the potholes on the highway is going on and it will be completed before the festival commences,” he said. The minister said provisions for stationing ambulances, cranes and vehicle maintenance support teams have been made along the highway in case there is some issue with vehicles or in case of accidents.

Thousands travel to their hometowns in Raigad, Ratnagiri, Satara, Sangli, Ahmad Nagar and other places of the state from Mumbai and Navi Mumbai during Ganeshotsav.