Pune police have increased security and traffic deployments across the city’s busiest central shopping areas ahead of Diwali, as heavy crowds converge on Laxmi Road, Kumthekar Road, Mahatma Phule Mandai and Shaniwar Peth for festive purchases.
Additional local police and Crime Branch personnel have been instructed to maintain a visible presence, patrol crowded stretches and respond quickly to suspicious activity or complaints of theft, according to Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar. The deployment is focused on preventing thefts involving jewellery, cash and other valuables, particularly in congested market areas where shoppers are moving through narrow roads and crowded footpaths.
The police action comes as shoppers from across Pune district visit the old city’s traditional retail hubs. The concentration of pedestrians, private vehicles, delivery traffic and roadside activity has placed additional pressure on streets that already have limited carriageway and pedestrian space.
Traffic police have deployed extra personnel at key points to regulate movement and reduce congestion. Traffic volunteers are assisting officers in managing the flow of vehicles and pedestrians as shopping activity intensifies. The arrangements are intended to keep traffic moving while allowing shoppers to access the market areas safely.
Police station in-charges across the city have been directed to remain alert during the festive period and ensure that law and order is maintained. Officers have also been instructed to take immediate action against people creating trouble or engaging in unlawful activity in crowded locations.
The police have asked business owners to cooperate with the arrangements and prevent unauthorised roadside vendors from setting up stalls directly in front of their establishments. According to the instructions, such encroachments can obstruct pedestrian movement and worsen congestion on already crowded shopping streets.
The security measures highlight the operational challenge faced by Pune’s traditional markets during peak festivals: the same streets must accommodate large pedestrian volumes, moving vehicles, commercial activity and emergency access at the same time. In the old city areas, where roads are narrow and retail activity is concentrated, crowd management and traffic regulation remain closely linked to public safety.
The police are expected to continue visible patrols, traffic regulation and monitoring across the shopping districts for the duration of the festive rush. The administration’s stated focus is to prevent theft, maintain order and support smoother movement through Pune’s central markets.
