The Kharegaon underpass, which connects both sides of the Mumbai–Nashik Highway, will remain closed to private and heavy vehicles for more than four months,
from 15 December to 9 April, according to media reports. Authorities have shut the underpass to carry out widening work on the highway. Many motorists from Kalwa–Mumbra, Navi Mumbai, Bhiwandi and Kalyan-Dombivli usually use this route to travel to and from Nashik, Gujarat, Panvel and the Konkan region. Officials have now advised them to use alternative roads. According to a traffic department notice, vehicles coming from the Mumbai side towards Kharegaon must turn left at the Kharegaon Toll Plaza and pass through Gammon Parsik Circle. Vehicles travelling from Nashik must divert via Saket Cut. Those heading towards Bhiwandi and Thane should follow the Kharegaon Parsik Circle–Gammon Circle–Kharegaon Toll Plaza route and then continue via Kharegaon–Kalwa Naka, reported The Times of India. Also Read: Delhi All Set for Messi: Traffic Advisory, 'Multi-Layered' Security in Place for G.O.A.T Visit The Thane Traffic Police clarified that emergency service vehicles, including ambulances, fire engines and police vehicles, will not face any restrictions.
11,827 E-Challan Cases Settled in Thane
As many as 11,827 pending e-challan cases have been settled by the Lok Adalat in Thane and fines of Rs 1.32 crore deposited in court, officials said on Monday. Under the Motor Vehicles Act, traffic violators are issued e-challans, which are sent directly to their mobile phones, and cases are filed against those who ignore payments, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Pankaj Shirsat said.
Following an appeal by the Thane city transport department, vehicle owners were offered an opportunity to clear the outstanding fines. The Lok Adalat was held on Saturday, and 11,827 cases were settled and fines of Rs 1.32 crore were collected, the official said. The drive aimed at resolving long-pending cases against motorists who had failed to pay fines imposed for traffic rule violations.
