Pune traffic police have barred heavy vehicles from using major roads in the city’s central areas on Saturdays and Sundays during the Diwali festival, after a surge in shoppers created congestion risks around key markets. The restriction came into effect on October 25 and will remain in force until the end of the festival.
Deputy commissioner of police (traffic) Dr Sandeep Bhajibhakare issued the order, withdrawing the weekend permission previously granted to construction-related and goods vehicles on major city roads. The move is intended to keep traffic moving and improve pedestrian safety in areas that attract large crowds during the festive shopping period.
The restriction covers central Pune market zones and major roads connected to them, including Laxmi Road, Chhatrapati Shivaji Road, Bajirao Road, Kumthekar Road and Kelkar Road. The areas around Mahatma Phule Mandai and Tulshibaug are also expected to experience heavy pedestrian and vehicular movement as residents shop for Diwali.
These commercial areas draw shoppers from across Pune, its suburbs and the wider district. The concentration of markets, shopping streets and roadside activity creates additional pressure on roads that already carry regular traffic. By removing heavy vehicles from the weekend mix, the traffic police are seeking to reduce the movement of large vehicles through crowded central areas during the busiest shopping period.
The order changes an earlier arrangement under which construction-related and goods vehicles were allowed to use major roads on weekends. The temporary withdrawal of that permission applies to the central areas identified by the traffic police and is linked to the festival period rather than a permanent change in vehicle access rules.
The traffic police have also stepped up measures against roadside parking near market areas. Officials said the enforcement is aimed at preventing parked vehicles from narrowing carriageways and obstructing traffic close to shopping streets. The measures are being implemented alongside the heavy-vehicle restriction to support smoother movement in central Pune and the suburbs.
“Ensuring smooth traffic movement in central Pune and the suburbs during the festive season is a priority. Heavy vehicles have been barred from the central areas, and measures are being taken to prevent parking along roads near markets,” Bhajibhakare said.
The restriction will continue through the Diwali festival, while traffic police enforcement will focus on keeping heavy vehicles away from the designated central areas and preventing roadside parking near the affected markets.
