Pune Traffic Police Announce Three-Day Traffic Diversions for Municipal Elections; Key Routes to be Closed
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 13th January 2026: In preparation for the upcoming Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) General Elections 2025-26, the Pune Traffic Police have announced temporary traffic diversions and road closures across the city. The restrictions will be enforced for three days, from January 14 to January 16, 2026, to ensure the smooth movement of election machinery and to prevent congestion near polling and counting centers.
According to a press release issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Himmat Jadhav, the traffic modifications are necessary to manage the heavy movement of vehicles and crowds expected during the distribution of election materials, voting, and vote counting.
Effective Dates and Timings
The traffic regulations will be in effect between 06:00 AM and 07:00 PM (or as required by the situation) on the following days:
Wednesday, Jan 14: Distribution of election materials (EVMs, etc.).
Thursday, Jan 15: Voting Day.
Friday, Jan 16: Vote Counting Day.
Key Traffic Changes
The notification outlines specific diversions in several high-traffic zones, including Viman Nagar, the central Peth areas (Vishrambaug, Dattawadi, Samarth), Hadapsar, and Koregaon Park.
1. Viman Nagar Area
Closed: The road behind Phoenix Mall (from Maruti Showroom to Solitaire Building/Nikko Garden).
Diversion: Commuters should proceed via Viman Nagar Chowk to Shrikrishna Hotel Chowk or take a left from Datta Mandir Chowk towards Nagar Road.
2. Central Pune (Vishrambaug & Dattawadi) Significant changes have been made to routes connecting Tilak Road and Bajirao Road:
Closed: Traffic from Puram Chowk to Tilak Chowk and from Alka Talkies to Tilak Chowk.
Diversion: Vehicles should use Bajirao Road or take the route via Shastri Road, Senadatt Chowk, and Dandekar Bridge.
Closed: The lane from New English School to Visawa Maruti Chowk.
Diversion: Traffic will be routed via Alka Talkies Chowk.
Bajirao Road: Sections from Savarkar Putala to N.C. Phadke Chowk are restricted. Vehicles will be diverted straight via ABC Chowk or Puram Chowk towards Jedhe Chowk.
3. Hadapsar
Closed: The route from Shivsena Chowk to Sane Guruji Path.
Diversion: Motorists can use the Hadapsar Ves–Amardham–Malwadi route or the Gadital–Sanjeevani Hospital–DP Road route.
4. Camp & Samarth Area
Closed: Roads from Power House Chowk, Sant Kabir Chowk, and Remshe Gate heading towards the Old Motor Stand.
Diversion: Traffic to route via Shantai Hotel, Quartergate Chowk, and Seven Loves Chowk.
5. Koregaon Park
Closed: North Main Road (Lane No. C to Mahatma Gandhi Chowk).
Diversion: Commuters are advised to use the Koregaon Park Junction to ABC Farm route.
Exemptions and Advisory
DCP Jadhav clarified that these restrictions apply to general traffic. Essential service vehicles—including Police, Fire Brigade, Ambulances—and vehicles officially assigned to election duty are exempt from these orders.
Citizens are advised to plan their commute in advance, avoid the affected areas during operational hours, and cooperate with the traffic police and volunteers to ensure hassle-free elections.
