Pune traffic police have announced road closures, one-way restrictions and diversions around major Navratri festival venues, with changes beginning Sunday, October 11, to manage crowds and protect devotees. The restrictions will affect routes near Tambdi Jogeshwari Temple, Chaturshringi Temple, Bhavani Mata Temple in Bhavani Peth and Mahalakshmi Temple at Sarasbaug.
From Sunday, the road between Appa Balwant Chowk and Budhwar Chowk, also known as Hutatma Chowk, will be closed to traffic. One-way traffic will continue in the opposite direction between Budhwar Chowk and Appa Balwant Chowk.
Traffic will also be prohibited on the stretch between Ganpati Chowk on Laxmi Road and Shri Tambdi Jogeshwari Temple. The road from the Sakal office towards Tambdi Jogeshwari Temple will remain closed to all vehicles except those providing essential services.
Near Chaturshringi Temple on Senapati Bapat Road, traffic will be diverted if the area becomes crowded. Vehicles will be redirected through Vetalbaba Chowk, Deep Bungalow Chowk and Om Super Market. The diversion will be activated in response to crowd levels, according to the traffic arrangements announced by the police.
At Shri Bhavani Mata Temple in Bhavani Peth, traffic heading towards the temple through Nehru Road will be stopped. Further changes to traffic movement on Nehru Road will be introduced if the crowd increases.
Additional restrictions have been announced near Shri Mahalakshmi Temple at Sarasbaug on Monday, October 12, between 5 am and 7 am during the Shri Sukt recitation programme. The road from Swargate through Sarasbaug towards the Swatantryaveer Savarkar statue will be closed during this period. The route from Mitramandal Chowk towards Puram Chowk will also remain closed.
Vehicles approaching from Mitramandal Chowk have been advised to travel from Savarkar Chowk via Sinhagad Road to reach their destinations. Vehicles travelling on Sinhagad Road towards Savarkar Chowk have been advised to use Laxminarayan Chowk instead.
The traffic arrangements were announced by Deputy Commissioner of Police Dr Sandeep Bhajibhakare of the traffic branch. The restrictions are intended to maintain traffic movement and safety around the festival venues during periods of increased footfall.
