Pune Announces Major Traffic Diversions, Heavy Vehicle Ban Ahead of Palkhi Processions
Pune, 7th July 2026: The Pune City Traffic Police has announced a comprehensive traffic management plan. Thus plan includes major road closures, route diversions and a complete ban on heavy vehicles.
This comes ahead of the arrival of the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi processions in the city. The special arrangements have been put in place to ensure the safe passage of lakhs of Warkaris and to maintain smooth traffic flow during the annual pilgrimage.
According to a notification issued by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), the special traffic arrangements will be in effect from 10 pm on Wednesday, July 8, until 12 am on Saturday, July 11. During this period, several roads along the Palkhi routes will remain closed to all vehicular traffic, except emergency service vehicles such as ambulances, fire brigade vehicles, police vehicles and other essential service vehicles.
On July 9, the Palkhi processions arrive in Pune, thus, heavy vehicles will not be permitted to enter the city. Authorities said the restriction is aimed at preventing congestion and ensuring the smooth movement of devotees along the procession routes.
Several major roads across Pune will remain closed during the restrictions. These include Bopodi Chowk (Harris Bridge), Rajiv Gandhi Bridge in Aundh, Bremen Chowk, Bopodi Phata, Khadki Bazar Chowk, Kharadi Jakat Naka, Kesanand Phata, Lonikand, Kesnand, Wadegaon Phata, Tulapur Phata, Suse Road (Pashan), Chandni Chowk (Paud Road), Warje Junction, Mutha Bridge, Mundhwa Bridge, Uruli Kanchan Chowk, Kunjirwadi Phata, Kharadi Mhasoba Chowk, Saradwadi Phata, Theur Phata, Dive Ghat and Ravi Darshan in Hadapsar, among other locations.
To minimise inconvenience, the Traffic Police has announced alternate routes for motorists travelling between Mumbai, Pune, Solapur, Ahmednagar and Nashik. Vehicles travelling from Solapur, Ahmednagar and Nashik towards Mumbai have been advised to use the Wagholi–Kesnand–Perne Phata–Nagar Road–Alandi Road route.
Similarly, traffic from Mumbai towards Ahmednagar and Solapur will be diverted via Alandi Road–Nagar Road–Shikrapur–Kesnand–Wagholi.
The advisory also includes traffic arrangements for the onward journey of the Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi, which will depart from Lonikand on July 12 and proceed towards Yavat. Separate diversions will be implemented along this route, with motorists advised to use alternative roads via Theur, Kesnand, Shikrapur, Koregaon Bhima and other designated routes.
In addition, entry restrictions have already been imposed on select roads leading towards Alandi. Entry from Lonikand–Uruli–Markal Road, Vishrantwadi–Bopkhel Phata, and Bopodi (Harris Bridge) towards Nashik Phata and Pimpri-Chinchwad will remain closed during the notified period.
The Traffic Police further stated that on July 9, stretches of the Pune–Solapur Highway, Pune–Saswad Road and Alandi Road falling along the Palkhi route will remain completely closed while the procession passes through. Vehicles transporting essential commodities, including petrol and diesel, will be diverted through the Pune city bypass to maintain uninterrupted supply.
The Pune City Traffic Police has appealed to citizens to plan their travel in advance, avoid unnecessary movement on the aforementioned routes, and follow traffic advisories and directions issued by traffic personnel. Commuters are also encouraged to use the designated diversion routes and cooperate with authorities to ensure the smooth conduct of one of Maharashtra’s largest and most significant annual religious processions.
