Pune traffic police will close or divert vehicles on several roads in central Pune from 5 am on Tuesday, 15 September, until the completion of a mass Atharvashirsha recitation organised for women devotees by the Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganpati Trust.
The restrictions will affect Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Road, the Appa Balwant Chowk–Hutatma Chowk, or Budhwar Chowk, stretch and parts of Laxmi Road. The changes have been planned for the Rishipanchami programme, which is expected to draw a large number of women devotees.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Dr Sandeep Bhajibhakre, traffic will be stopped on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Road between Jijamata Chowk and Rameshwar Chowk. Vehicles will also be restricted between Appa Balwant Chowk and Hutatma Chowk, while traffic on Laxmi Road between Vijay Maruti Chowk and Belbag Chowk will be diverted as required.
Vehicles travelling from Jijamata Chowk towards Swargate have been advised to use Ganesh Road, Phadke Houd Chowk and Devjibaba Mandir Chowk. From there, motorists should turn right towards Maharana Pratapsinh Road, continue through Hamzekhan Chowk and turn right at Govind Halwai Chowk before proceeding via Gotiram Bhaiyya Chowk in Mandai towards Swargate.
Traffic heading from Appa Balwant Chowk towards Budhwar Chowk will not be permitted. Motorists have been advised to use Bajirao Road, Futka Buruj Chowk, Shaniwar Wada, Chhatrapati Shivaji Road and Jijamata Chowk to reach their destinations.
On Laxmi Road, motorists travelling through the affected section may be diverted from Vijay Maruti Chowk towards Sonya Maruti Chowk. The traffic police have advised drivers to use Bohri Ali, Mirza Ghalib Chowk, Nehru Chowk and Gotiram Bhaiyya Chowk as an alternative route.
The restrictions will remain in force from 5 am until the Atharvashirsha recitation programme concludes. Traffic police have asked motorists to follow the diversions and avoid the affected stretches during the event.
