Toll-Free Travel Announced for Konkan Devotees During Ganeshotsav 2025
Mumbai/Pune, 21st August 2025: Devotees heading to Konkan for Ganeshotsav this year will not have to pay toll on major highways, as the Maharashtra government has announced a special exemption from August 23 to September 8, 2025.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said the decision was taken to ease the travel burden for lakhs of families who visit their native places during the festival. “Ganeshotsav is the most important celebration for people in Konkan. The government wants to ensure that devotees travel with convenience and without extra expenses. Hence, toll collection will remain suspended for this period,” Shinde said.
The exemption will apply on the Mumbai–Bengaluru National Highway, the Mumbai–Goa National Highway, and other stretches managed by the Public Works Department (PWD) and Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). The facility will cover both private vehicles and ST (State Transport) buses.
To make use of the scheme, a special travel pass titled ‘Ganeshotsav 2025 – Konkan Darshan’ will be issued. These passes, carrying the vehicle and owner’s details, can be obtained from Regional Transport Offices (RTOs), traffic police, and local authorities. The same pass will be valid for both onward and return journeys.
Officials have been directed to streamline pass distribution and circulate information widely through public notices. Coordination between police units and transport departments will also be strengthened to prevent congestion at toll plazas.
In addition, heavy vehicles including trucks, multi-axle trailers, and lorries will not be allowed on the Mumbai–Goa Highway from the midnight of August 23 till 11 PM on August 28, as well as on idol immersion days. The restriction aims to avoid bottlenecks and ensure a smoother flow of festival traffic.
“Lakhs of vehicles travel on the Konkan route during Ganeshotsav. By restricting heavy vehicles and suspending toll, we are confident that this year’s travel will be smoother than before,” a senior transport department officer said.
