Pune traffic police have announced road closures, diversions, and parking restrictions near four major temples during Navratri to manage crowds and maintain vehicle movement around the religious sites. The measures affect areas around Shri Tambdi Jogeshwari Temple, Shri Chaturshringi Temple, Shri Bhavani Mata Temple, and Shri Mahalakshmi Temple at Sarasbaug.
The most extensive changes will apply around Shri Tambdi Jogeshwari Temple in Budhwar Peth. From Sunday, October 11, the road between Appa Balwant Chowk and Budhwar Chowk, also known as Hutatma Chowk, will be closed to traffic. One-way traffic will continue between Budhwar Chowk and Appa Balwant Chowk, according to Traffic Deputy Commissioner Dr Sandeep Bhajibhakare.
The stretch between Ganpati Chowk on Laxmi Road and Shri Tambdi Jogeshwari Temple will also remain closed. The road behind Shaniwar Wada leading towards the temple will be closed to vehicles except those providing essential services. Parking will not be allowed around the Tambdi Jogeshwari Temple or near Shri Ashtabhuja Temple in Shaniwar Peth.
Devotees travelling to Shri Tambdi Jogeshwari Temple have been advised to park their vehicles on the riverside road or at the Mandai parking facility. The restrictions are intended to keep access routes clear in an area expected to see high pedestrian movement during the festival.
Traffic near Shri Chaturshringi Temple on Senapati Bapat Road will be diverted if crowd levels increase. In that situation, vehicles will be redirected through Vetalbaba Chowk, Deep Bungalow Chowk, and Om Super Market. The traffic police have said the diversion will be implemented according to the crowd situation in the area.
At Shri Bhavani Mata Temple in Bhawani Peth, traffic approaching the temple through Nehru Road will be stopped. Parking will not be permitted on the stretch between Nehru Road and the temple premises. Further changes to traffic on Nehru Road will be made if crowds increase, the traffic police said.
Additional restrictions have been announced near Shri Mahalakshmi Temple at Sarasbaug for Shri Sukt recitation on Monday, October 12, between 5 am and 7 am. The road from Swargate through Sarasbaug towards the Swatantryaveer Savarkar statue will be closed. The route from Mitramandal Chowk towards Puram Chowk will also be shut during the period.
Vehicles coming from Mitramandal Chowk have been directed to use Savarkar Chowk and Sinhagad Road to reach their destinations. Vehicles travelling on Sinhagad Road towards Savarkar Chowk have been advised to use Laxminarayan Chowk instead. The traffic police have appealed to motorists to follow the diversions and avoid restricted temple approaches during the announced periods.
