Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Maharashtra Bans Heavy Vehicles on Mumbai-Goa Highway
The Maharashtra government will temporarily stop many heavy trucks from using Mumbai-Goa National Highway 66 during Ganeshotsav.
The rule applies to multi-axle trucks, trailers, and other heavy goods vehicles with a capacity of 16 tonnes or more.
It begins on September 11, 2026.
More restrictions will apply when people travel back after different Ganpati immersion days.
The government says large numbers of buses and cars could otherwise cause traffic jams.
Trucks carrying milk, fuel, medicines, food, and other important supplies can still travel.
Ambulances, police vehicles, fire tenders, and disaster-response vehicles are also exempt.
Some police officials can allow exceptions if local traffic conditions require them.
Vehicles weighing 16 tonnes or more will be barred from Mumbai-Goa National Highway 66 during specified Ganeshotsav travel periods.
The first restriction phase runs from 12:01 a.m. on September 11 through 11 p.m. on September 15, 2026.
Additional bans cover immersion-related travel on September 18-20 and September 25-26, 2026.
Vehicles carrying essential commodities, emergency services, and cargo linked to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust and Jaigarh Port are exempt.
The Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner and neighboring district police chiefs may grant conditional relaxations based on traffic conditions.
- Who
- The Maharashtra State Government, through its Transport Department, issued the directive.
- What
- Heavy vehicles of 16 tonnes or more will be restricted on Mumbai-Goa National Highway 66 during specified Ganeshotsav periods.
- When
- The restrictions begin September 11, 2026, with additional periods on September 18-20 and September 25-26.
- Where
- Mumbai-Goa National Highway 66 in Maharashtra, serving travel toward the Konkan region.
- Why
- To reduce congestion and improve safety and traffic flow during the festival’s heavy travel and immersion periods.
- Vehicle threshold
- Multi-axle trucks, trailers, and heavy goods carriers with a gross weight capacity of 16 tonnes or more.
- First restriction period
- September 11, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. through September 15, 2026, at 11 p.m.
- Five-day immersion period
- September 18, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Seven-day immersion period
- September 19, 2026, from 8 a.m. through September 20, 2026, until 11 p.m.
- Anant Chaturdashi period
- September 25, 2026, from 8 a.m. through September 26, 2026, until 8 p.m.
- Exemptions
- Port cargo, essential commodities, emergency vehicles, and highway repair vehicles with the required entry pass.
- Relaxation authority
- The Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner and superintendents of police in adjacent districts may grant conditional relaxations.