Traffic Diversions Announced for Mahabaleshwar Festival 2025 to Ensure Smooth Flow
Satara/Mahabaleshwar, 29th April 2025: In view of the upcoming Mahabaleshwar Mahaparyatan Festival 2025, scheduled from May 2 to 4, the Satara District Administration and Tourism Development Corporation have implemented special traffic arrangements to manage the anticipated surge in tourist footfall and vehicle movement.
The three-day tourism festival is expected to attract a large number of visitors from across Maharashtra, including VIPs and VVIPs, leading to potential congestion on the narrow and winding Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani ghat road.
To ensure smooth vehicular movement and avoid traffic jams, Dr. Vaishali Kadukar, Additional Superintendent of Police and in-charge Superintendent of Police, Satara, has issued a notification outlining traffic route changes for the duration of the festival.
Revised Traffic Routes:
From Mumbai-Pune-Wai to Panchgani-Mahabaleshwar: All vehicles must travel via Pasarni Ghat. This route will operate as one-way during the festival period.
From Mahabaleshwar to Mumbai-Pune-Wai: Vehicles should use the Mahabaleshwar–Medha–Kudal–Pachwad route, leading to the Pune-Bengaluru Highway.
From Mahabaleshwar to Bhilar-Panchgani: The route will be: Mahabaleshwar Uday Hotel Chowk → RR Cottage Chowk → Kshetra Mahabaleshwar Naka → Avkali. This will also be one-way.
From Mahabaleshwar to Venna Lake: Traffic will move via Mahabaleshwar Market → RR Cottage Chowk → Kshetra Mahabaleshwar Naka → Nakinda Phata. This route is also designated one-way.
From Mahabaleshwar to Satara/Sangli: Vehicles should travel via Medha to Satara and then proceed along the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway.
Traffic Management Measures:
Directional signs have been placed at key junctions, and additional police personnel will be deployed to guide commuters and manage traffic.
In a public appeal, the Satara police urged citizens and tourists to cooperate with the new traffic plan and follow the designated routes to avoid delays. “These changes are essential to ensure safety and traffic flow during the festival. We request everyone’s support,” said Dr. Kadukar.
