Traffic diversions, closures planned

Officials said the arrival, stay and departure of palkhis in Pune coincides with another key event the city is hosting, which is the ‘Digital Economy Working Group’ meeting of the G-20. “Central government officials and G-20 organisers were made aware of the palkhi processions coinciding with the meeting dates. Accordingly a meticulous plan is in place to ensure that most delegates arrive on or before Sunday. The movement of delegates between some of their locations has also been planned making sure that it does not coincide with the procession routes. Incidentally, some delegates are even visiting the Palkhi processions,” said a senior officer from Pune city police.

The Sant Tukaram Maharaj palkhi embarked on its journey from the temple town of Dehu in Pune on June 10. As per tradition, the Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi halted at the Inamdar Wada in Dehu on the night of its departure and reached Akurdi in Pimpri Chinchwad on Sunday. The palkhi of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj began its journey from Alandi on Sunday, and will begin to make its way to Pune on Monday morning after stopping at Gandhi Wada in Alandi on Sunday night.

Both processions are slated to arrive in Pune on Monday. The two palkhis will take a day’s rest on Tuesday in Pune – Sant Tukaram Maharaj palkhi at Nivdunga Vitthal Mandir and Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi at Vithoba Mandir. On Wednesday both processions will resume their respective journeys from Pune towards Pandharpur.

Traffic changes

These changes will be force from 2 am on Monday till the time the individual Palkhis cross specific landmarks as mentioned:

The changes are denoted in the sequence of closed route and alternate route: Till the time Sant Tukaram Palkhi reaches Bopodi Chowk, the route from Bopodi Chowk to Khadki Bazar will be closed, the alternate route being the internal road via Church Chowk. The route closed will be Poultry farm chowk, with alternate routes being Railway Police headquarters, Aundh Road and Bremen Chowk.

Till the time Tukaram Mahraj palkhi reaches Engineer College Chowk, the route closed will be Old Mumbai Pune road (coming to Pune), with alternate route being Bhau Patil Road, Aundh Road, Bremen Chowk. The other route closed will be RTO to Engineering College Chowk, with alternate routes being Shahir Amar Shaikh Chowk and Kumbhar Ves, and also via Jehangir Chowk and Ambedkar Setu.

For arrival of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj palkhi, the route closed will be Kalas Phata to Bopkhel Phata, with alternate route being via Dhanori road using internal routes. The other route closed will be Mental Hospital Corner to Alandi Junction, with alternate route being via Jail Road and Airport Road.

The other route closed will be Sadalbaba Chowk to Patil Estate, with alternate routes being Parnakuti Chowk to Garrison Engineer Square.

Meanwhile, a separate road closure and traffic diversion plan has been put in place for heavy vehicles for the duration June 12 to 15. The boards informing the route changes for heavy vehicles have been displayed at diversion points, officials said.

For more information, citizens can check the official website.