Pune traffic diversions and road closures will be enforced from 2 am to 10 am on November 15 for the Pune Run for Unity, with restrictions affecting key routes across central and western parts of the city. The event is expected to draw around 30,000 participants and the four races will begin at 4 am.
The running event, organised by Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol to commemorate Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 151st birth anniversary, will include 3 km, 5 km, 10 km and 21 km categories. The route covers Alka Talkies Chowk, Fergusson College Road, Ganeshkhind Road and Pashan Road.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Dr Sandeep Bhajibhakare has issued temporary traffic orders for roads under the Vishrambaug, Deccan, Shivajinagar, Chaturshringi and Baner traffic divisions. The traffic restrictions will be implemented as required during the notified period.
Fergusson College Road will be closed to all vehicular traffic. On the road between Agriculture College Chowk and Pune University Chowk, the carriageway towards Pune University Chowk will remain closed. Traffic will also be restricted on the Pune University Chowk–Pashan Circle–Bavdhan Chowk stretch. Senapati Bapat Road will be closed between Symbiosis College and BMCC College.
Several diversions have been announced for motorists. Vehicles on Karve Road heading towards Khanduji Baba Chowk will be diverted right at Nal Stop Chowk and directed through Mhatre Bridge and Shastri Road. Traffic from Shimla Office Chowk towards Veer Chaphekar Chowk and Suryamukhi Chowk will be stopped on Ganeshkhind Road, with motorists directed to turn right towards Sancheti Chowk and continue via Engineering College Chowk.
At Thorat Chowk, vehicles heading towards FC Road will be directed through Deep Bungalow Chowk. Traffic towards Suryamukhi Chowk will also use that route. Vehicles on Jangli Maharaj Road travelling towards Khanduji Baba Chowk will be diverted left at S.G. Barve Chowk and Jhansi Rani Chowk.
Motorists approaching Fergusson College Road from Senapati Bapat Road and Law College Road have been advised not to proceed from the Prabhat Road, Bhandarkar or V.S. Khandekar junctions. They should continue straight via Athawale Chowk. On Sus Road, vehicles heading towards Pashan Circle will be diverted at Balaji Chowk and sent through Mahabaleshwar Hotel Chowk.
Further restrictions will affect routes from Swargate towards Alka Talkies Chowk via Tilak Road, Mangirib Baba Chowk towards Tilak Chowk, Belbaug Chowk towards Tilak Chowk and Kelkar Road towards Tilak Chowk. The notified alternatives include Bajirao Road, Senadatta Police Chowki, Bal Shivaji Marg, Sevasadan Chowk and Bhide Bridge, depending on the approach route.
Participants have been instructed to park in nearby areas, excluding the riverbed road, New English School ground and the main ground of S.P. College. The traffic police have requested motorists to use designated alternative routes and cooperate with personnel during the event. The restrictions are scheduled to remain in force until 10 am on November 15, subject to implementation requirements during the event.
