The annual Ganeshotsav festival has caused significant traffic congestion on routes leading to Konkan, particularly on September 12, 2026. Thousands of vehicles, including Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses and private tourist coaches, clogged key roads as festival-goers made their way to celebrate the occasion. The Mumbai-Goa Highway (NH 66) and surrounding areas experienced severe delays, affecting both travelers and local commuters.
Key feeder routes such as the Mumbra Bypass and Majiwada flyover saw traffic at a standstill, with queues stretching back into Navi Mumbai and Thane. Motorists reported that what usually takes a short time to navigate turned into a lengthy ordeal. Snehal Kulkarni, a motorist stuck near Mumbra Bypass, described the scene as a test of patience, saying, "Getting out of Thane city turned into a real test of patience."
- Severe congestion reported — Key routes leading to Konkan faced unprecedented traffic jams due to festival rush.
- Increased MSRTC bus movement — Over 5,200 buses contributed to the delays as they headed towards Ratnagiri and beyond.
- Construction delays exacerbate issues — Ongoing roadwork on the Mumbai-Goa highway added to the congestion woes.
Many travelers expressed their frustration regarding the traffic situation. Rohan Pawar, who took a bus from Parel to Sawantwadi, noted that it took nearly two hours just to reach Panvel due to the heavy traffic. He remarked, "I usually prefer travelling by train, but this time I could not get a train ticket." The situation was worsened by ongoing construction on several stretches of the highway, which further hindered traffic flow.
Local authorities are under pressure to implement better traffic management strategies during peak festival seasons to alleviate congestion. Deepak Chavan, working president of the Ganeshbhakt Konkanvasi Pravas Sangh, emphasized the need for improved infrastructure and planning to handle the influx of travelers during Ganeshotsav. With the festival rush expected to continue, officials are urged to take immediate steps to manage traffic and ensure safety for all commuters.
