Ahead of Ambedkar Jayanti on April 14, their will be major changes in several areas of Pune and Pimpri to manage large crowd and ensure smooth vehicular moment in city. In view of the celebration police have implemented the traffic restrictions and the PMPML has made temporary change to bus operations.
Following will be changes on April 13 and on April 14
- Dandekar Bridge: Route diversion will be in place from 4 PM on April 13 to midnight on April 14, routes 12, 42, and 299 will be diverted via Sanas Statue, Nilayam Talkies, Mangir Baba Chowk, and Lokmanya Nagar. Routes 15, 17, 47, 50, 52, 52A, 97, 117, 118, and 118A will run through Sarasbaug, Senadatta Police Chowky, Rajendranagar, Bal Shivaji Chowk, Mhasoba Chowk, and Dattawadi before returning to their regular routes.
- Traffic Diversion near Pune Railway station: Considering heavy footfall near railway station areas, buses from Dr Ambedkar Station, Sassoon Road and Maldhakka bus stand will now operate from the Petit bus stand at Pune Station depot. On return journeys, buses will pass through Wadia College, Alankar Chowk and Petit bus stand.
- Several bus routes to and from Pune Station have been adjusted. Some buses will be diverted via Sadhu Vaswani Chowk and Alankar Chowk, while others will travel through Narpatgiri Chowk, KEM Hospital area, Employment Office, Rasta Peth Power House, Lal Deul, and Police Headquarters, depending on the route number. Further diversions may occur due to heavy congestion.
In Wadgaon Sheri and Kharadi, from 4 pm to midnight on April 14, Route 165 buses may be shortened to Matchwell Company if roads are closed. Routes 153, 234, and 235 will bypass Tata Guard Room, operating instead via Nagar Road, Chandan Nagar bypass, Durga Mata Mandir, and Radisson Hotel.
Pimpri Chowk Diversion
From 3 PM on April 13 to 2 AM on April 14, traffic diversions will be in effect. Buses on routes 42, 122, 123, 139, 139A, 262, 281, 317, 336, 337, and 366 will be rerouted via Dairy Farm Grade Separator. Routes in the 331 and 344 series, as well as Metro Shuttle 32, will operate via H.A. Corner, Rasrang Chowk, Auto Cluster, Mother Teresa Bridge, and Vijaynagar.
Additionally, routes 302, 356, and B1 will be diverted via Vijaynagar and Pimpri village, while route 334 will be diverted through KSB Chowk. Route 312 buses will operate via Mohannagar and Chinchwad Station.The PMPML administration advises commuters, especially senior citizens and women, to note these temporary changes and plan their travel accordingly. These diversions are necessary to manage crowds and ensure safety during the celebrations.
Officials state that approximately 14 processions will occur from Rahatani to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Statue Chowk (Rahatani village) between 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Vivek Patil, has issued an order under the Motor Vehicles Act to restrict and divert traffic due to anticipated large crowds along the procession routes, ensuring public safety and smooth traffic flow.
Traffic Restrictions: Vehicular movement is prohibited between Rahatani Phata Chowk and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Statue Chowk (Rahatani village). Heavy vehicles are restricted from Kunal Hotel to Nakhate Vasti Chowk. No entry for vehicles is permitted from Mahadev Mandir/Pimple Saudagar Police Chowki towards Rahatani Phata or from the T-point near Jeevanjyoti Hospital towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk.
Alternative Routes: Vehicles traveling from Rahatani Phata towards Rahatani village, or from Kunal Hotel, should use the Kalewadi Phata route. Vehicles from Mahadev Mandir/Pimple Saudagar Police Chowki and those near Jeevanjyoti Hospital should use the P.K. Chowk route.
These restrictions are in effect from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM, or until traffic normalizes. Emergency vehicles are exempt. Citizens are requested to cooperate and utilize alternative routes to minimize disruption.