Pune traffic police have restricted goods loading and unloading in the city’s central commercial areas during the Ganeshotsav period, directing tempo and truck operators to carry out the activity only between 2 am and 11 am until September 24. The measure is intended to reduce congestion and protect devotees in busy market and procession areas.
The order was announced by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Traffic Branch, Dr Sandeep Bhajibhakare. Under the arrangement, vehicles bringing goods to central Pune’s commercial markets must avoid daytime loading and unloading, when pedestrian movement and festival-related traffic are expected to be heavy.
The affected areas include Raviwar Peth, Bohri Ali, Laxmi Road, Tulshibaug, Shaniwar Peth, Bajirao Road, Kुमठेकर Road, Sadashiv Peth and Shukrawar Peth. These neighbourhoods contain dense retail and wholesale activity and are expected to see increased movement of devotees during Ganeshotsav.
According to the traffic police, roads in central Pune remain crowded through much of the day during the festival. The department has asked traders to coordinate deliveries within the permitted window and ensure that goods are not unloaded from commercial vehicles during the day. The restriction applies to vehicles bringing goods into the commercial markets, while emergency and essential-service vehicles will continue to receive permission to operate.
The traffic police said the decision was taken to keep movement through central Pune orderly during the festival and to reduce the risk of accidents involving goods vehicles in crowded areas. Fire brigade vehicles, ambulances, police vehicles and other vehicles serving essential services have been exempted from the restriction.
The timing is significant for the city’s market streets, where delivery vehicles, shoppers, pedestrians and festival visitors often compete for limited road space. By moving commercial loading and unloading to the early morning period, the traffic branch is seeking to separate supply activity from the hours when public movement is at its highest. The supplied announcement does not specify separate arrangements for individual markets or any changes to parking rules.
The traffic police have warned that violations of the order will invite action. Traders, transporters and citizens have been asked to cooperate with the temporary arrangement, which will remain in force through September 24. Further enforcement and traffic-management measures during the festival will be handled by the traffic police.
