Pune City prepares for Palkhi processions by setting up clinics, filling potholes

A meeting of senior Pune city police officials including Additional Commissioner Ranjan Kumar Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Shashikant Borate, along with authorities of various departments of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), Pune Fire Brigade was held at the Vishrantwadi police station on June 6 to discuss the arrangements to be made for the huge number of warkaris participating in the Palkhi procession.

Satish Mhaske, representative of the “Palkhi Swagat Kaksha” and Ajay Sawant, representative of theDatta Mandir on Alandi Road, where the Palkhi takes a halt, were also present for the meeting.

As many as 16 spots were identified on the procession route between Bopkhel Phata and Sangamwadi for installation of 45 mobile toilets, a press release issued Wednesday said.

Also, arrangements such as ambulances, watch towers. mobile health clinics, a team of doctors, fire tenders would be in place. Erection of arches on the palkhi route without seeking essential permissions will not be allowed, it stated.  CCTV cameras would be installed at important locations and deployment of police force and bomb detection and disposal squad (BDDS), barricading, would be done to ensure that no untoward incidents occur. Filling of potholes on the Palki route will also be carried out.

Also, sale of non-vegetarian items and liquor will not be allowed on the Palkhi route on June 11 and June 12, the release said.

Work for the metro project on the Palki route will also be closed on these two days.

A team of the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) would keep a check on the quality of food items being distributed during the Palkhi procession.

People have been asked to follow the orders of police and government officials to prevent crowding during the procession.