MUMBAI/THANE: Thane guardian minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday announced a toll waiver for the Ganpati festival for the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Mumbai-Goa highway and entry point at Vashi from September 10-13 and on September 23.Thousands of devotees from Mumbai, Thane and neighbouring regions travel to their home towns in Pune, Nashik and the Konkan to celebrate the festival with their extended families. To reduce congestion and make the journey hassle-free, Shinde, at a meeting with minister of state for home Deepak Kesarkar, the toll agency and PWD officials at Mantralaya, announced the waiver for Ganeshotsav devotees. He also unveiled Ganeshotsav 2018 stickers that devotees can place on their vehicles while on their journey.“The waiver is to provide smooth commute for devotees when traffic congestion is very likely. All vehicles, including light motor vehicles, ST and AC buses, can avail of this waiver. The stickers will be available at RTOs, toll nakas and police stations. Citizens will be exempted from September 10 to Ganesh Chaturthi on September 13, and then on Anant Chaturdashi on September 23,” said a Thane district administration official.Shinde also told officials to accelerate pothole repairs on the Mumbai-Goa highway. He said there would be additional traffic wardens, police and Delta Force officials to ensure congestion-free travel.Shinde also announced facilities like ambulances, cranes and tow trucks to help commuters in times of distress. tnn

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