Mumbai: In a major festive mobility announcement benefiting lakhs of chakarmanis (devotees) commuting from Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Pune to their ancestral towns across the coastal Konkan belt for Ganeshotsav 2026, the Maharashtra Public Works Department (PWD) has issued a comprehensive Government Resolution (GR) granting a 100% toll exemption (पूर्ण पथकर माफी). Operational from Friday, September 11, 2026, to Sunday, September 27, 2026, the waiver covers both the onward festive journey and the return travel window following Anant Chaturdashi immersions. For official transit gazettes, traffic diversions, and regional transport directories, visit the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Department (RTO) Portal.

Eligible Highways and Major Corridors Under the Waiver

The toll exemption applies to key arterial corridors and express bypasses linking Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and Western Maharashtra to coastal districts:

Also Read: Middle East Conflict Spillover: Mahanagar Gas Hikes CNG by ₹2/kg and PNG by ₹1/SCM Across Mumbai; Rising Spot RLNG Costs Hit Commuters and Kitchens
  • Mumbai–Goa National Highway (NH-66): All operational toll collection plazas situated along the primary Konkan transport spine.
  • Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri–Nhava Sheva Atal Setu (MTHL): Motorists taking the trans-harbour sea link from South/Central Mumbai directly toward Chirle and NH-66 can cross toll-free upon displaying the authorized pass.
  • Mumbai–Bengaluru National Highway (NH-48): Toll collection barriers for motorists commuting via Pune, Satara, and Kolhapur to access southern Konkan via the Kumbharli, Amba, Phonda, and Radhanagari ghat passes.
  • PWD and MSRDC Feeders: Associated connector links and bypass roads operated under state highway authorities leading into coastal districts.
  • Heavy Commercial Vehicle Curbs: To avert severe congestion along single-lane and ghat sections of NH-66, heavy commercial vehicles weighing 16 tonnes and above are prohibited from using the Mumbai–Goa Highway starting September 11.

Vehicle Categories and Konkan Darshan Sticker Pass Details

The waiver covers three primary vehicular categories provided they display the government-certified transit pass:

  • Private Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs): Personal cars, SUVs, and multi-utility vehicles carrying families to their native Konkan homes.
  • MSRTC State Transport Buses: Regular schedules and extra festival special Lal Pari buses operated by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation across all regional divisions.
  • Registered Commercial Tourist Cabs: Taxis and hired passenger cabs booked specifically by family groups and resident mandal contingents.
  • Two-Way Return Validity: The stamped sticker remains fully valid for the return journey up to midnight on September 27, 2026.

Step-by-Step Guide: How and Where to Obtain the Free Pass

Motorists can collect the physical watermarked 'Ganeshotsav 2026 - Konkan Darshan' (गणेशोत्सव २०२६ - कोकण दर्शन) sticker free of cost through a coordinated multi-agency network:

  1. Visit Authorized Desks: Approach your nearest local Police Station, designated Traffic Police Chowki, or Regional Transport Office (RTO) across Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Pune, and Pimpri-Chinchwad.
  2. Submit Basic Documents: Produce the vehicle's Registration Certificate (RC Book or mParivahan DigiLocker record), the driver's valid Driving Licence, and the residential village or taluka destination address in Raigad, Ratnagiri, or Sindhudurg.
  3. Sticker Endorsement and Affixing: The verifying officer will write the vehicle registration number and driver's name directly onto the official sticker. Affix it prominently to the left or center of the front windshield to facilitate manual clearance by toll marshals and highway patrols.

FASTag Plaza Protocol and Reversal Safeguards

To prevent accidental automatic wallet deductions at electronic FASTag gantries, toll plaza concessionaires have been instructed to open dedicated Ganeshotsav manual lanes and position marshals ahead of optical scanners. In the event of an unintended electronic debit despite showing a valid windshield pass, district transport helplines have been activated to verify transaction IDs and issue refunds.