PM Modi to visit Pune, traffic crawls amid convoy drill

As part of the rehearsal on Monday, police closed down Shivaji Road, Laxmi Road, Tilak Road and Fergusson College Road for brief periods one after the other, causing traffic congestion not just on these roads but also on several connecting roads. The congestion compelled commuters to take smaller lanes linking the roads, further compounding the traffic situation.

Officials from Pune City police said what added to the congestion was the increase in traffic volume on the first day of the week and spells of rains in the morning and afternoon.

Meanwhile, the Pune City Police put up barricades on several arterial roads in the central parts of Pune, barring the entry of vehicles from the small connecting roads to the main roads.

During the Prime Minister’s visit, parking is prohibited on the passage that PM Modi’s convoy would take and near the event venues. Shop owners and roadside stall owners will be asked to shut businesses for brief time periods.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Police (traffic) Vijaykumar Magar issued a notification on Sunday providing a list of roads and traffic junctions that commuters have been advised to avoid between 6am and 3pm on Tuesday.

Commuter have been advised to avoid the connecting roads to following traffic junctions: Pune University Square, Simla Office Square, Sancheti Chowk, SG Barve Chowk, Budhwar Chowk, Sevasadan Chowk, Alka Chowk, Tilak Chowk, Jedhe Chowk, Sadalbaba Chowk, Golf Club Chowk.

Citizens have been further advised to avoid Sangamwadi Chowk, Fergusson College and Vimantal Road and instead take alternative routes.