Pune traffic diversions will affect several roads in the city centre from after 5 am on Tuesday, September 15, until the conclusion of a large women’s collective Atharvashirsha recitation organised near the Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati temple for Rishipanchami.
The restrictions will cover stretches of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Road, the route between Appa Balwant Chowk and Hutatma Chowk, also known as Budhwar Chowk, and parts of Laxmi Road. The event is being organised by the Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganpati Trust and is expected to draw a large number of women devotees, according to traffic police.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Dr Sandeep Bhajibhakre said traffic on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Road between Jijamata Chowk and Rameshwar Chowk will be closed during the programme. Vehicles travelling from Jijamata Chowk towards Swargate will be diverted through Ganesh Road, Phadke Houd Chowk and Devjibaba Mandir Chowk.
From Devjibaba Mandir Chowk, motorists will be required to turn right towards Maharana Pratapsinh Road, continue through Hamzekhan Chowk and turn right at Govind Halwai Chowk. They can then proceed through Gotiram Bhaiyya Chowk in Mandai towards Swargate.
Traffic travelling from Appa Balwant Chowk towards Budhwar Chowk will also be prohibited. 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.
On Laxmi Road, traffic between Vijay Maruti Chowk and Sonya Maruti Chowk will be diverted whenever required. Vehicles will be directed from Sonya Maruti Chowk through Bohri Aali, Mirza Ghalib Chowk, Nehru Chowk and Gotiram Bhaiyya Chowk. Traffic police have appealed to motorists to follow the diversions and cooperate with personnel deployed in the affected areas.
The restrictions will remain in force from after 5 am until the Atharvashirsha recitation concludes, with traffic movement subject to the operational requirements of the event, police said.
