Thane: In an effort to ease traffic congestion, the Thane Police Commissionerate will implement an 18-hour daily restriction on the movement of heavy trucks (10 tyres or more) and multi-axle vehicles within its jurisdiction from 6 AM to midnight, starting September 18 to October 2.The move, applicable on an experimental basis, aims to ensure smoother vehicular flow for commuters from Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, and even Mumbai, who use the network of highway corridors passing through the Thane region to reach Gujarat, Pune, and North Maharashtra, among others, and back. Currently, crossing Thane district by road takes up to 2–3 hours, lament regular travellers.Initially limited to Ghodbunder Road following directives from Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde late Monday, the plan has now been expanded to cover the entire commissionerate area. A formal notification was issued late Tuesday. Authorities will invite public feedback before deciding on a possible extension of the restriction, informed Pankaj Shirsat, Deputy Police Commissioner, Thane Traffic.A senior police official stated that 17 entry points into the Thane Commissionerate area—from Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Palghar, Dahisar, Mumbra-Panvel, Kongaon, and Bhiwandi—have been identified for enforcement. Exemptions will apply to vehicles transporting perishable goods or essential commodities, officials clarified.Deputy CM Shinde has also instructed JNPT, Mira-Bhayandar Police and Municipal Commissioner, Palghar Collector, and SP to regulate truck traffic passing through Navi Mumbai and the Ahmedabad Highway towards Thane. These agencies are tasked with identifying and establishing parking bays for affected trucks within their jurisdictions. Thane Collector Shrikrushna Panchal will oversee coordination and ensure compliance, with disciplinary action against violations, Shinde said.Meanwhile, city residents welcomed the move, hoping for safer, less congested roads during daytime hours. “We hope the compliance is total and would finally be able to drive smoothly on city roads without jostling for space and fearing for their lives due to the presence of heavy multi-axle vehicles playing alongside on highways cutting through their areas,” said a motorist.
