Raigad Authorities Ordered to Repair Mumbai-Goa Highway Ahead of Ganeshotsav
The Raigad district administration has been directed to urgently repair potholes and fix problematic stretches along the Mumbai-Goa National Highway to facilitate smooth travel for devotees heading to Konkan for Ganeshotsav. Guardian Minister Bharat Sheth Gogawale issued the instructions during a peace committee review meeting held at the District Planning Bhavan in Alibag.
Following the meeting, Gogawale inspected the highway stretch extending from Panvel-Palaspe towards Mangaon, ordering agencies to carry out on-the-spot repairs. At one site, the minister instructed the designated agency to finish pending roadwork within three to four days to prevent festive traffic bottlenecks.
To manage the anticipated surge in vehicular movement toward Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, and other parts of the Konkan region, the administration is marking alternative routes with clear signboards. Traffic personnel will be stationed at key junctions, including Indapur, Mangaon, Lonere, and Poladpur, to guide motorists.
Emergency response measures have also been put in place along the corridor. The district has arranged 20 towing cranes, 20 ambulances, and 25 motorcycles dedicated to traffic management and breakdown assistance.
Additionally, dedicated facility centres will be set up at Kharpada, Kharepatan, Wakan, Kolad, Indapur, Mangaon, Lonere, Mahad, Mahad MIDC, and Poladpur. District Collector Kishan Jawale stated that these points will provide drinking water, medical assistance, police help desks, facilities for women and children, vehicle rest areas, and tyre-inflation services to aid stranded passengers.
Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare instructed officials to coordinate in advance with local private rescue teams, who often arrive first during roadside emergencies. Tatkare also called for extra facility centres at major congestion points and the installation of temporary public toilets along sections lacking roadside amenities.
For overall festival security, the district will deploy seven police sub-inspectors, 128 police officers, 1,900 police personnel, 400 Home Guards, and one company of the State Reserve Police Force across the region.
