The Pune city police have geared up for the smooth arrival of the Pandharpur-bound Sant Tukaram Majaraj and Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhis, and the traffic control branch has chalked out an elaborate plan for road diversions and closures during the passage of the processions. The Palkhis, or the procession of the palanquins carrying the Paduka or revered symbolic footwear of Sant Tukaram Maharaj and Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj, start their three-week-long journeys from temple towns of Dehu and Alandi and are slated to reach Pandharpur on the auspicious occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi on June 29. Officials said the arrival, stay and departure of Palkhis in Pune coincides with another key event the city hosts - the G20 Digital Economy Working Group meeting. "Central government officials and G-20 organisers were made aware of the Palkhi processions coinciding with the meeting dates. Accordingly, meticulous planning has been put in place to ensure that the arrival majority of the delegates is completed on or before Sunday. The movements of the delegates between some of their locations have also been planned, ensuring that it does not coincide with the procession routes. Incidentally, some delegates are even visiting the Palkhi processions," said a senior Pune city police officer. Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi embarked on its journey from the temple town of Dehu in Pune on June 10. As per the tradition, the Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi halted at the Inamdar Wada in Dehu on the night of its departure and is reaching Akurdi in Pimpri-Chinchwad on Sunday. The Palkhi of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj is set to begin the journey from Alandi on Sunday. It will halt at Gandhi Wada in Alandi at night. Both processions are slated to arrive in Pune on Monday. The two Palkhis will take a day of rest on Tuesday in Pune - Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi at Nivdunga Vitthal Mandir and Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi at the Palkhi Vithoba Mandir. Both processions will start their separate journeys from Pune towards Pandharpur on Wednesday. These traffic changes will be in force from 2 am on Monday till the time the individual Palkhis cross specific landmarks as mentioned: Till the time Sant Tukaram Palkhi reaches Bopodi Chowk: Closed route: Bopodi Chowk to Khadki Bazar. Alternate route: Internal road Via Church Chowk. Closed route: Poultry farm chowk. Alternate route: Railway Police headquarters, Aundh Road and Bremen Chowk. Till the time Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi reaches Engineer College Chowk: Closed route: Old Mumbai Pune Road will be closed for vehicles approaching Pune. Alternate route: Bhau Patil Road Aundh Road Bremen Chowk. Closed route: RTO to Engineering College Chowk. Alternate routes: Shahir Amar Shaikh Chowk and Kumbhar Ves. And also via Jehangir Chowk and Ambedkar Setu. For the arrival of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi: Closed route: Kalas Phata to Bopkhel Phata. Alternate route: Via Dhanori road using internal routes. Closed route: Mental Hospital Corner to Alandi Junction. Alternate route: Via Jail Road and Airport Road. Closed route: Sadalbaba Chowk to Patil Estate. Alternate route: Parnakuti Chowk to Garrison Engineer Square. Traffic changes for the passage of both Palkhis together after the processions confluence near Engineering College Chowk. These changes will be in force from 12 pm on June 12. Closed route: Range Hill Chowk to Sancheti Chowk. Alternate route: Khadki Underpass and Poultry farm chowk. Closed route: Khandoji Baba to Veer Chaphekar Chowk Alternate route: Karve Road and Senapati Bapat Road. Closed route: Gadgil Statute to SG Barve Chowk. Alternate route: Kumbharves to RTO Chowk. Closed route: Deccan Traffic Division to Thopte Path Chowk. Alternate route: Ghole Road and Apte Road. Meanwhile, a separate road closure and traffic diversion plan has been put in place for heavy vehicles for June 12 to 15. Officials said boards informing the route changes for heavy vehicles have been displayed at diversion points.
