Pune traffic diversion measures will affect several central roads from after 5 am on 15 September until the conclusion of a women’s collective Atharvashirsha recitation programme organised near the Dagdusheth Ganpati temple, traffic police said. The restrictions are expected to affect routes around Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Road, Appa Balwant Chowk, Budhwar Chowk and Laxmi Road.
The programme is being organised by the Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganpati Trust on the occasion of Rishi Panchami. A large number of women devotees are expected to attend, prompting the traffic police to close or regulate vehicle movement in parts of central Pune during the early-morning event.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Dr Sandeep Bhajibhakare, traffic on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Road between Jijamata Chowk and Rameshwar Chowk will be closed. The stretch from Appa Balwant Chowk to Hutatma Chowk, also known as Budhwar Chowk, will also be restricted. On Laxmi Road, traffic between Vijay Maruti Chowk and Belbag Chowk will be closed during the programme.
Vehicles travelling from Jijamata Chowk towards Swargate have been advised to use an alternative route. They will be required to travel via Ganesh Road, Fadke Houd Chowk and Devjibaba Mandir Chowk, then turn right towards Maharana Pratapsinh Road. From Hamzekhan Chowk, motorists should turn towards Govind Halwai Chowk and continue via Gotiram Bhaiyya Chowk in Mandai before proceeding towards Swargate.
Traffic heading from Appa Balwant Chowk towards Budhwar Chowk will not be permitted. Motorists using Appa Balwant Chowk have been advised to take Bajirao Road, Futka Buruj Chowk, Shaniwar Wada, Chhatrapati Shivaji Road and Jijamata Chowk to reach their destinations.
Traffic between Vijay Maruti Chowk and Sonya Maruti Chowk on Laxmi Road may be diverted as required. The traffic police have advised motorists to use the route from Sonya Maruti Chowk through Bohri Ali, Mirza Ghalib Chowk, Nehru Chowk and Gotiram Bhaiyya Chowk. The diversions will remain in force from after 5 am until the Atharvashirsha recitation programme ends, according to the traffic police advisory.
