Pune: Tight Security, Parking Arrangements in Place for Vijaystambh Ceremony at Koregaon Bhima
Pune, 30th December 2024: In preparation for the large crowd expected at the Vijaystambh ceremony in Koregaon Bhima on January 1, the Pune rural police will implement strict security measures to ensure smooth traffic flow and crowd management. A total of 4,800 police personnel will be deployed across the region, Pune Rural Superintendent of Police Pankaj Deshmukh announced at a press conference on Sunday.
The Vijaystambh (victory pillar) ceremony, which attracts followers from across Maharashtra and beyond, will see heightened security with the presence of additional law enforcement. Deshmukh, alongside Additional Superintendent of Police Ramesh Chopde, explained that a special team has been formed to oversee crowd control.
In total, the security arrangement will include 336 police officers, 3,080 police personnel, 1,500 Home Guard personnel, and 12 contingents of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF). Firefighters and emergency medical teams will be on standby, and disaster management resources have been arranged to handle any unforeseen incidents.
“Given the massive turnout, we have arranged for sufficient parking space and transport for the followers. A 23-acre parking area has been set up along Chakan Road for vehicle parking. Buses will be provided to transport attendees to and from the Vijaystambh site,” Superintendent Deshmukh said.
For followers coming from the Nagar Road area, a 59-acre parking space at Shikrapur (Wakf Board) can accommodate up to 8,000 vehicles. Another 23-acre parking area has been designated for vehicles arriving from the Mumbai-Thane area on Chakan Road, with a capacity for 4,800 vehicles.
Additionally, parking arrangements have been made for PMPML buses at Bajrangwadi in Shikrapur, occupying a 10-acre space. From there, buses will transport followers to Vadhu Budruk, with PMPML buses dropping attendees at the Inamdar parking lot at Koregaon Bhima. Buses will also be available for the return journey from Digrajwadi Phata.
The entire Koregaon Bhima area will be under heavy surveillance, with 4,800 police personnel on alert to ensure a safe and orderly event. In addition to the police forces, anti-riot squads, fire brigades, and medical teams will be present on-site, prioritizing crowd management and the safety of attendees.
