Pune City Traffic Police will impose road closures, diversions and parking restrictions across parts of central Pune during Navratri from October 11 to 20, with measures focused on the Chatushrungi, Bhavani Mata and Tambdi Jogeshwari temple areas. The restrictions will be implemented as required according to traffic conditions and crowd levels, the police said in a press note issued on October 9.
At Appa Balwant Chowk, the road leading towards Budhwar Chowk will be closed to traffic when the restriction is activated. Vehicles will instead be allowed to travel in the opposite direction, from Budhwar Chowk towards Appa Balwant Chowk. Motorists affected by the change can use the route via the Gadgil statue and Shivaji Road to reach their destinations.
Around Bhavani Mata Temple, Mahatma Phule Road between Ramoshi Gate Chowk and Juna Motor Stand will be closed to vehicles in both directions. Vehicles providing essential services will be exempted. The stretch will also operate as a no-parking zone during the festival period.
Motorists approaching from Sant Kabir Chowk through Ramoshi Gate towards Bhavani Mata Road will be diverted left at A.D. Camp Chowk. They will then be directed towards Bharat Cinema and Padamji Chowki Chowk before turning right towards Juna Motor Stand. The traffic police will also temporarily relax the one-way restriction on a section of Jadhav Road to provide an alternative route towards Juna Motor Stand.
PMPML buses travelling through Ramoshi Gate will be routed via Seven Loves Chowk. Buses will take left turns towards Golibar Maidan Chowk and then Swargate Chowk to reduce traffic pressure near Bhavani Mata Temple.
Entry to Tambdi Jogeshwari Road from Ganpati Chowk on Laxmi Road will be prohibited for vehicles travelling towards the temple. Vehicles approaching from the Sakal Press side will also be barred, except those providing essential services. Motorists on Laxmi Road who would normally turn towards the temple at Ganpati Chowk will have to continue to Sevasadan Chowk, turn right onto Bajirao Road and proceed through Appa Balwant Chowk towards Shaniwar Wada.
Parking restrictions will apply as required around Tambdi Jogeshwari Temple in Budhwar Peth, Ashtabhuja Devi Temple in Shaniwar Peth and Ashtabhuja Durgadevi Temple in Narayan Peth. Existing parking arrangements on affected roads will be temporarily suspended during the 10-day festival.
Devotees have been advised to use parking facilities on the riverbed road between Tilak Bridge and Bhide Bridge, designated parking facilities at Mandai and authorised roadside parking zones in the surrounding areas. The police have asked motorists to avoid restricted roads and follow directions issued by traffic personnel.
Traffic arrangements around Chatushrungi Temple will depend on congestion levels on Senapati Bapat Road. If crowd movement causes traffic jams, vehicles approaching the Senapati Bapat Road junction from Patrakar Nagar Chowk may be channelled through Shivaji Housing Chowk, using the left side of Senapati Bapat Road as a one-way route.
If congestion increases further, vehicles may be diverted away from the temple approach through Vetalbaba Chowk and Deep Bungalow Chowk. Another possible diversion will route vehicles from Shivaji Housing Chowk through the Om Super Market road.
Devotees arriving from Cosmos Junction have been advised to reach the Polytechnic ground parking area through Shivaji Housing Chowk, K. Sawant Chowk and Firodia Path. Those travelling from Veer Chaphekar Chowk can use routes through Surymukhi Datta Mandir Chowk, Thorat Chowk and Deep Bungalow Chowk, or travel via Sanganna Dhotre Path and Khau Galli from Ganeshkhind Road.
The Pune traffic police have urged residents and visitors to use designated alternative routes, avoid roads under restriction and cooperate with personnel managing traffic around the temples throughout the festival.
