Navi Mumbai: All agencies must work in close coordination to ensure that the upcoming Ganeshotsav in Konkan is peaceful, smooth, and accident-free, stated Dr. Suresh Kumar Mekala, Additional Director General of Police (Traffic). Dr. Mekala also appealed to citizens to cooperate with the administration to facilitate a safe celebration.

A review meeting was held on Thursday in the conference hall of the Navi Mumbai Police Commissionerate to discuss measures to ensure that Ganesh devotees can travel to their hometowns on time and that the festival proceeds without any traffic disruptions. Present at the meeting were Raigad Superintendent of Police (Highways) Tanaji Chikhale, Raigad Superintendent of Police Somnath Gharge, Pune Division Highway Police Superintendent Vikrant Deshmukh, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation Executive Engineer Sonwane, Navi Mumbai Deputy Commissioner of Police Tirupati Kakade, and other department officials.

Ganeshotsav, which begins on September 7th, sees a large number of people from across the state traveling to their villages in Konkan. To accommodate this surge, several measures are being implemented, according to Dr. Mekala.

Patrolling by the Delta Force and other patrolling vehicles will be intensified on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway under the Maharashtra Road Development Corporation to prevent traffic congestion. Safety measures such as the installation of notice boards, rumble strips, anti-jamming boards, and traffic control signs are being undertaken.

In areas prone to landslides, iron nets have been installed, and minor repair works like pothole filling, siding repairs, lane marking, and cleaning of information boards have been completed on National Highway 48. Additionally, in the event of an accident in the Bor Ghat area, a Ghat Inspector Response Team will be deployed round-the-clock at four strategic locations to manage traffic and coordinate emergency responses.

The Maharashtra State Transport Board has arranged 3,000 to 4,000 buses for citizens traveling to Konkan during Ganeshotsav. To prevent accidents, drivers and conductors will undergo alcohol testing, and teams from the transport board will be stationed in six accident-prone areas. Police personnel will also be deployed at bus stands to prevent incidents such as theft. The transport board representatives assured that all necessary precautions will be taken for passenger safety.

To support Ganesh devotees along the national highway, service facilities will be established every 15 kilometres. These centres will include health facilities, restrooms, tea rooms, and separate rooms for lactating mothers, as well as provisions for vehicle repairs. Special disaster management plans have also been put in place. The meeting also addressed issues related to black spots on the Mumbai-Goa National Highway 66, road repairs, and other concerns.