The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is not leaving any stone unturned to provide all facilities for pilgrims of the annual pilgrimage from Alandi and Dehu in Pune to Pandharpur in Solapur with introduction of dedicated pandal hirkani, a resting place for women, in addition to drinking water, medical aid and public toilets on the route. The pilgrimage, locally known as waari, began on Monday. The Shree Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj palkhi entered Pune from Alandi at Satyajirao Kusmade Sankul in Kalas on Alandi Road, while the Shree Tukaram Maharaj palkhi entered from Dehu at the Bopodi Signal chowk on the old Mumbai-Pune highway. The two palkhis (palanquins) met at the Nabard junction near the Patil Estate. The two palkhis will stay in Pune till Wednesday and proceed further to Pandharpur through different routes at 9 am from Hadapsar Gadital. The PMC has made provisions for drinking water supply through tankers on the route of the palkhis passing through the city and also at the locations where the pilgrims will stay for the next two days. The civic administration has also decided to ensure there is uninterrupted water supply in the places where the pilgrims would stay. The palkhi route has been repaired to ensure there is no inconvenience to pilgrims. The fire department has cancelled weekly holidays and leave for its staff during the next two days. Department staff have been deputed on the riverside, where the pilgrims go for bath, to ensure their safety. Accommodation has been arranged at a few civic schools during the next two days. Conservancy staff are cleaning the route regularly. Illegal encroachments and scrap vehicles alongside the route have been removed. The PMC has set up 1,209 portable toilet seats for pilgrims across the city and they will be cleaned at regular intervals. The civic body has installed sanitary pad machines and incinerators in civic schools where the women pilgrims would stay for two days. Also, there will be sanitary napkin stalls at a few locations on the route. The PMC will be providing a fire control vehicle with the palkhi from Pune to Pandharpur.
