Ashadhi Wari 2025: Pune Police Announce Comprehensive Traffic Changes During Palkhi Processions’ Entry, Stay & Departure
Pune News, June 16, 2025 – This year, the revered Sant Tukaram Maharaj and Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhis will enter Pune city together during the Ashadhi Wari (Dindi) pilgrimage in Maharashtra, prompting the Pune Traffic Police to enforce extensive traffic diversions and vehicle bans from June 29 to 23, 2025. The measures aim to ensure smooth movement, safety, and minimal congestion during the grand Palkhi Procession, a significant spiritual event for devotees.
Key Traffic Restrictions and Diversions
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Amol Zende, has issued temporary traffic regulations under the Motor Vehicles Act to manage the massive influx of devotees and procession-related road closures. Emergency vehicles, including ambulances, police, and fire brigades, remain exempt.
1. Ban on Heavy Vehicles Across Pune
To facilitate the smooth passage of the Palkhis, heavy and oversized vehicles will be banned from entering Pune city from 10:00 PM on June 19 to 11:00 PM on June 23, 2025. This includes all non-essential trucks and freight carriers.
No-entry points for heavy vehicles: Heavy vehicles will not be allowed beyond key junctions, including Bopodi Chowk, Rajiv Gandhi Bridge Chowk, Bremen Chowk, Bopkhel Chowk, Kharadi Bypass Chowk, Kesnand Village, Kesnand Phata Chowk, Loni (Theur Phata), Tulapur Phata, Radha Chowk, Sus Road, Chandni Chowk, Warje Junction, Vadgaon Bridge at Dhayari, Navale Bridge Chowk, Bhujbal Chowk at Katraj, Khadi Machine Chowk in Kondhwa, Mantarwadi Phata, Vaidhwadi Chowk in Hadapsar, and Theur Phata on the Loni Kalbhor side.
2. Alternate Routes for Intercity Vehicles
To minimize congestion, all through-traffic—including heavy, luxury, and light vehicles (except emergency services)—must avoid Pune city roads and use the following alternate highways:
- Solapur to Pune/Nagar/Mumbai/Nashik: Take Chauphula – Kedgaon – Shikrapur – Alephata towards Nagar.
- Mumbai to Solapur/Nagar: Continue via Solapur Road.
- Kolhapur/Satara to Nagar: Use Paragon – Navare Phata – Kedgaon – Chauphula – Nhavare – Shirur route.
- Kolhapur/Satara to Mumbai: Take Katraj Bypass (Bengaluru Highway).
3. Palkhi Halt Points and Local Traffic Restrictions
Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi Route & Restrictions:
- Nana Peth (Bhavani Peth – Shivaji Market route): From 2:00 PM on June 21 till 10:00 AM on June 22, all vehicular access on the stretch from Bhavani Peth to Shivaji Market will be closed.
- Shivaji Road – Tilak Road (towards Shri Nivdunga Vitthal Mandir): After 10:00 AM on June 22, all traffic from Juna Topkhana to Alka Talkies via Belbaug Chowk will be halted.
Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi Route & Restrictions:
- Nana Peth via Maldhakka Chowk and KEM Hospital: From 2:00 PM on June 21, roads including Maldhakka Chowk to Ghorpadi Peth Chowk and Juna Bazaar Chowk to Belbaug Chowk will be restricted.
- Appa Balwant Chowk – Kumthekar Road – Laxmi Road: On June 22, full vehicle access will be banned on Kumthekar Road (Belbaug to Appa Balwant Chowk) and Laxmi Road (Belbaug to Tilak Chowk).
- Laxmi Road to Sarasbaug via Shanipar and Bajirao Road: On June 23, all connecting routes and crossroads will be off-limits.
4. Complete Closure of Solapur-Bound Route from Theur Phata
As Sant Tukaram Maharaj’s Palkhi departs for Pandharpur on June 23, all Solapur-bound traffic from Theur Phata will be shut from 11:00 PM on June 22 until the Palkhi crosses Roti Ghat on June 25.
Alternate routes:
- From Theur Phata: Use Theur village – Kesnand – Wagholi/Lonikand – Nagar Road – Shikrapur – Nhavare.
- From Khadi Machine Chowk: Proceed via Katraj or Bopdev Ghat.
Additional Advisory
- Citizens should check updates from Pune Rural Police and Pimpri Chinchwad Traffic Division.
- For real-time assistance, contact Traffic Control Room at 26685000 / 26684000.
Disclaimer
This coverage summarizes major traffic advisories for the Palkhi processions. For precise, location-wise restrictions and timing details, please consult the official Pune Police notification above.
