Ganeshotsav Celebrations Cause Major Traffic Snarls on Mumbai-Pune Expressway

Heavy traffic congestion disrupted commuter movement on the busy Mumbai-Pune Expressway on Wednesday as thousands of vehicles queued for several kilometres near the Khalapur toll plaza in Raigad district. The traffic pile-up, extending approximately 2 to 3 kilometres, was attributed to the surge in vehicular traffic triggered by the ongoing Ganeshotsav festival celebrations across the state.

The festive season sees a significant increase in inter-city travel as families and devotees journey to participate in Ganesh idol installations and processions in various parts of Maharashtra. The toll plaza, a key bottleneck on the expressway corridor, experienced extended delays as vehicles moved at a snail's pace during peak hours.

The congestion highlighted the infrastructural challenges faced by major highways during festival seasons when traffic volumes spike substantially. Commuters were advised to plan their journeys in advance and consider alternate routes to avoid extended delays during the festival period.

Authorities have not issued specific advisories regarding traffic management measures or estimated clearance time for the congestion. Motorists travelling on the expressway during Ganeshotsav are expected to exercise patience as festive-season traffic remains heavy across key Maharashtra routes.