Pune traffic diversions will affect several central and eastern parts of the city between September 12 and 14 as authorities prepare for crowds attending Ganesh idol shopping and pran pratishthapana ceremonies. Roads around Dengle Bridge, central Pune, Sarasbaug and Keshav Nagar in Mundhwa will face closures, restricted parking or route changes.
The traffic changes are intended to manage crowds near idol stalls in the Dengle Bridge area of Shivajinagar and at locations where religious ceremonies are expected to draw visitors. The measures will apply on Saturday, September 12, Sunday, September 13 and Monday, September 14, according to a report by Loksatta – Pune.
In central Pune, the stretch between Gadgil statue chowk on Chhatrapati Shivaji Road and Gotiram Bhaiyya Chowk near Mandai will be closed to traffic for the ceremony. Vehicles have been directed towards Santaji Ghorpade Path, Kumbharves Chowk and Shahid Amar Sheikh Chowk in Mangalwar Peth.
Vehicles travelling from Jangli Maharaj Road towards Khude Chowk and Kumbharwada will be diverted at Chhatrapati Shivaji Bridge. Drivers have been asked to turn left from the bridge and continue via Santaji Ghorpade Path towards Kumbharves.
Parking restrictions will also apply near Sarasbaug. All vehicles will be prohibited from parking between Swatantryaveer Savarkar statue chowk and the Samadhana Bhel Centre area. The traffic branch has asked motorists to park near Mitramandal Chowk, Patil Plaza and the area close to Nilayam Cinema instead.
Further restrictions will be imposed in central Pune on Monday, September 14. Chhatrapati Shivaji Road will remain closed, while routes around Phadke Houd Chowk in Kasba Peth, Jijamata Chowk, Futka Buruj, Appa Balwant Chowk, Hutatma Chowk, Moti Chowk and the road in front of Mangala Cinema will also be closed to traffic.
Keshav Nagar in Mundhwa is expected to see increased pedestrian and vehicle movement because of Ganesh idol purchases. Traffic in that area will be diverted through alternative routes on Monday, although the report does not specify the individual diversion roads.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Traffic, Dr Sandeep Bhajibhakare, has appealed to motorists to use the designated parking areas and follow the diversions. The restrictions will remain linked to the scheduled ceremonies and crowd movement during the three-day period.
