Authorities in Maharashtra’s Raigad district have imposed a temporary ban on the movement of heavy and oversized vehicles across key highways and arterial roads to manage traffic during the upcoming New Year celebrations. The order aims to reduce congestion in popular tourist destinations such as Alibag, a coastal getaway near Mumbai, where large crowds are expected.

The ban, issued by District Magistrate Kishan N. Jawale under the Motor Vehicles Act, will be in effect from 8 am on December 31 until midnight on January 1, following recommendations from the Raigad police superintendent. According to the official order, traffic snarls during peak holiday periods not only inconvenience tourists and residents but also severely impact emergency services, including ambulances and fire brigade vehicles.

Exemptions and Coverage

Essential services, including vehicles transporting milk, petrol, diesel, cooking gas, medicines, oxygen, vegetables, and water supply, as well as emergency service vehicles, will be exempted from the restrictions. The ban covers stretches such as:

• Kharpada–Kashedi on the Mumbai–Goa National Highway (NH-66)
• Mangaon–Tamhini Ghat to Dighi on NH-753(F)
• Karjat–Palasdhari via Khopoli–Pali Phata to Wakan on NH-584(A)
• Vadkhal to Alibag on NH-166(A)
• Chowk Phata to Karjat (State Highway)
• Alibag to Murud (State Highway)
• Alibag to Mandwa (State Highway)

Managing Holiday Traffic

Raigad, known for its industrial hubs and scenic tourist spots, experiences a surge in vehicular traffic during year-end holidays due to school vacations, Christmas festivities, and New Year celebrations. Tourist attractions such as Alibag, Kashid, Murud, Mandwa, Kihim, Nagaon, Revdanda, Diveagar, Shrivardhan, Harihareshwar, Mahad, Karjat, Matheran, Imagica, Pali, and Raigad Fort draw tens of thousands of visitors, many traveling by private vehicles.

Officials highlighted that narrow roads, lack of alternative routes, and the simultaneous movement of freight vehicles contribute to chronic congestion at several critical points. Regular bottlenecks include stretches along the Mumbai–Goa Highway at Pen, Vadkhal, Nagothane, Kolad, Indapur, Mangaon, Goregaon, and Mahad, as well as the Vadkhal–Alibag road. Congestion is also common on the Alibag–Revdanda, Alibag–Murud, and Alibag–Mandwa routes, particularly on weekends.

The temporary ban is intended to facilitate smoother traffic flow, reduce the risk of accidents, and ensure that emergency services can operate efficiently during the busy holiday period. Authorities have urged motorists to plan their travel accordingly and follow traffic guidelines while navigating the region’s roads during the New Year celebrations.