Pimpri-Chinchwad has introduced temporary traffic restrictions and diversions ahead of Ganesh immersion processions, with road closures, heavy-vehicle bans and altered PMPML bus routes scheduled across major parts of the city between 14 and 25 September. The measures have been issued to manage crowds and prevent congestion during the festival period.
According to a report by Loksatta – Pune, Deputy Commissioner of Police Vikrant Deshmukh issued the restrictions under the Motor Vehicles Act. The traffic branch has closed selected internal roads and directed vehicles towards alternative routes in the Bhosari, Chikhali, Talegaon, Sangvi, Wakad, Nigdi and Chinchwad areas.
In the Bhosari and Chikhali divisions, PMPML buses will not be allowed to enter below the Bhosari Bridge during specified periods from 14 to 25 September. The buses will instead operate through Panjarpol or Magazine Chowk. Vehicles travelling from Khadki through Harris Bridge towards Phugewadi will be directed through the grade separator.
Traffic on the Alandi Road in the Chikhali area will be diverted towards Bharatmata Chowk. In the Talegaon division, heavy vehicles will be barred from the Talegaon–HP Chowk stretch on 20 September. These vehicles will be diverted through Vadgaon Phata, Navlakh Umbre and Chakan. Roads around Maruti Mandir Chowk, Jijamata Chowk and the Dolsnath Temple area will also remain closed during the notified restrictions.
In Sangvi, private vehicles will be prohibited on the stretch between Maheshwari Chowk, Old Sangvi Road, Kranti Chowk and Famous Chowk on 20 September. Vehicles travelling towards Aundh will have to use the Katepuram and Mayurnagari routes. In Wakad, traffic on Datta Mandir Road will be diverted towards Kaverinagar and Kaspate Corner from 23 to 25 September.
The Nigdi and Chinchwad divisions will face extensive closures on 25 September. Routes between Ahimsa Chowk and Chapekar Chowk, the Dalvinagar Bridge and the approach from Bhoir Ali towards Chapekar Chowk will be completely closed. Motorists have been advised to use Link Road, Bijalinagar and Khandoba Mal as alternative routes.
The restrictions are intended to separate festival-related pedestrian and procession movement from regular traffic at locations expected to experience crowding. The measures will also affect public transport, freight vehicles and daily commuters using the affected corridors. The traffic branch’s notified dates and diversion routes will determine when each restriction comes into force and when normal movement can resume.
