Pune Traffic Police have withdrawn the weekend exemption for heavy vehicles on Shivaji Road and Bajirao Road from 25 October until the end of Diwali, citing increased shopping crowds, congestion risks and pedestrian safety in central Pune.
The restriction will apply every Saturday and Sunday during the period, according to an order issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Dr Sandeep Bhajibhakre. Heavy vehicles will not be permitted to use the two roads on weekends while the temporary measure remains in force.
The decision has been taken as footfall is expected to rise in and around Pune’s traditional shopping areas, including Laxmi Road, Kumthekar Road, Kelkar Road and Tulshibaug. These commercial areas attract large numbers of shoppers during the Diwali buying season, increasing interaction between pedestrians, private vehicles, delivery traffic and other road users.
The weekend exemption had previously allowed heavy vehicles to use Shivaji Road and Bajirao Road. The traffic police have now withdrawn that permission for the festive period, while retaining the restriction specifically for Saturdays and Sundays. The department said the move is intended to keep traffic moving, reduce congestion near busy markets and lower risks to pedestrians.
“Permission given to heavy vehicles to travel on Shivaji Road and Bajirao Road on Saturdays and Sundays has been withdrawn from 25 October until Diwali ends. Heavy vehicles will not be permitted on these roads during this period,” Bhajibhakre said, according to Civic Mirror – Pune. He added that the two roads are important routes through central Pune and are expected to experience a significant rise in shopper movement during the festive season.
The order has been issued under provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act and a notification issued by the Maharashtra government’s Home Department on 27 September 1996. The traffic police said the weekend restriction will remain in place until the Diwali festival concludes.
The measure forms part of temporary traffic planning for the festive shopping period. By removing heavy vehicles from two central routes on the days when market activity is expected to be highest, the authorities are seeking to manage competing demands on roads that serve both through traffic and access to established commercial areas.
The traffic police have clarified that the weekend heavy-vehicle permission on Shivaji Road and Bajirao Road will not resume before the end of Diwali. The next operational milestone is therefore the conclusion of the festival period, when the temporary arrangement is scheduled to be reviewed through the restoration or continuation of the existing traffic controls.
