Pune City Announces Diversions Across Central Roads
Pune: Commuters travelling through central Pune on Thursday have been advised to plan their journeys carefully after city traffic authorities announced temporary traffic diversions and movement restrictions along several major roads due to a scheduled public demonstration. The advisory aims to minimise congestion while ensuring safe movement for participants, residents and emergency services across one of the city’s busiest transport corridors.
According to traffic officials, the procession is expected to pass through key locations including Lal Mahal, Daruwala Bridge, Narpatgiri Chowk, Bolai Mata Temple, the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar statue and Sassoon Hospital. As the march progresses, traffic regulation measures will be introduced in phases depending on crowd movement and prevailing road conditions. The Pune Traffic Diversions are likely to affect several important city roads, including Ganesh Road, Kelkar Road, Shivaji Road and Nehru Road. Authorities have indicated that vehicle movement on these stretches may be temporarily restricted or redirected to maintain public safety and prevent prolonged traffic bottlenecks in the central business district. To reduce disruption, motorists have been encouraged to use designated alternative routes. Vehicles approaching Laxmi Road from Daruwala Bridge have been advised to divert towards Duliya Maruti before proceeding to their destinations. Those travelling through Ganesh Road can access the city via Lal Mahal, Phadke Haud, Surya Hospital and 15 August Chowk. Commuters heading towards Kelkar Road have been advised to travel through ABC Chowk and Futka Buruj, while travellers on Shivaji Road may use Jungli Maharaj Road, Tilak Road or the riverside corridor as alternate links. Traffic towards Nehru Road may also be diverted through Ganesh Road or Banerjee Chowk depending on congestion levels.
Traffic management experts note that advance route planning has become increasingly important as Pune experiences growing pressure on its urban transport network. Demonstrations, civic events and monsoon-related disruptions frequently coincide with peak-hour traffic, highlighting the need for adaptive traffic management systems capable of responding in real time. Urban mobility specialists also emphasise that temporary diversions are most effective when supported by timely public communication and coordinated enforcement. Clear signage, digital navigation updates and proactive traffic monitoring can significantly reduce delays while improving road safety for both motorists and pedestrians.
Officials have urged citizens to avoid affected stretches wherever possible, allow additional travel time and cooperate with traffic personnel deployed along the procession route. Emergency vehicles and essential public transport services will continue to receive priority movement as authorities monitor conditions throughout the day. The Pune Traffic Diversions will remain in force only for the duration of the procession and will be withdrawn in phases once normal traffic conditions are restored. Civic authorities are expected to review traffic flow continuously to minimise inconvenience while balancing the city’s mobility needs with the safe conduct of public gatherings.