Maharashtra CM Waives Toll for Ganesh Festival Devotees

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced that toll charges for devotees traveling to their native places for the Ganesh festival will be waived. During a review meeting, he directed officials to fill potholes, prune tree branches, and set up more artificial lakes. Civic bodies were instructed not to charge fees from Ganesh pandals for standby fire vehicles.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced on Wednesday that toll charges will be waived for devotees traveling to their native places to celebrate the Ganesh festival.

In a review meeting with state administration and police, Shinde instructed officials to fill potholes, prune tree branches, and increase the number of artificial lakes in preparation for the 10-day festival starting September 7.

He also directed civic bodies to refrain from charging any fees from Ganesh pandals for keeping fire service vehicles on standby and proposed a single-window system for clearing applications of Ganesh mandals.

'This year too, the toll will be waived for devotees,' Shinde reiterated.

(With inputs from agencies.)