Road authorities have made special arrangements to monitor heavy highway traffic at the congested spot this festive season

Every year, the Mumbai-Pune and Mumbai-Goa highways receive heavy traffic in the prelude to Ganeshotsav, as many natives of Western Maharashtra who live in Mumbai access these highways to return to their native places. Since these two highways intersect at Panvel, the spot witnesses severe traffic congestion. This year, the ongoing construction work for a flyover near the Panvel bus stand has made matters worse.

Suneet Sawant, student of DY Patil College of Engineering, said "I regularly visit my hometown in Ratnagiri every year for Ganeshotsav, but travelling on the highway is a nightmare. Every year authorities say that they have taken measures to check traffic congestion, but things remain the same."

Anticipating heavy traffic during the festive season, the Navi Mumbai Police has taken several measures to avoid congestion at Panvel. Vijay Patil, deputy commissioner of police (traffic), Navi Mumbai, said, "Traffic will be diverted on the stretch extending from Kalamboli circle to Palaspe Phata. Vehicles heading towards the Konkan can join the Mumbai-Goa highway at Palaspe Phata, without entering into Panvel."

The Maharashtra State Transport department has planned to ply an additional 1,200 buses from Mumbai to the Konkan region. Private bus companies have also increased their ferries to the Konkan region for this year's Ganeshotsav. The state government has restricted the entry of heavy motor vehicles and multi-axle vehicles to the highway during Ganeshostav. 260 Navi Mumbai cops will be deployed at the Sion-Panvel highway to ensure smooth flow of traffic during Ganeshotsav.

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