Pune Traffic Police have imposed a round-the-clock ban on heavy and oversized vehicles on 12 major road stretches in the city during Ganeshotsav. The restrictions will come into effect from September 12 and continue until the completion of Ganesh idol immersion on September 26.
The restrictions primarily cover roads in central Pune and some important approach corridors that are expected to witness increased traffic and pedestrian movement during the festival.
Unlike restrictions limited to specific hours, the ban on heavy vehicles will remain in force 24 hours a day during this period.
Heavy vehicles banned on these 12 Pune road stretches
According to the traffic restrictions announced for Ganeshotsav, heavy and oversized vehicles will not be permitted on the following stretches:
- Shastri Road: Senadatta Police Chowky to Alka Chowk
- Tilak Road: Jedhe Chowk to Alka Chowk
- Kumthekar Road: Shanipar to Alka Chowk
- Laxmi Road: Sant Kabir Chowk to Alka Chowk
- Kelkar Road: Futka Buruj Chowk to Alka Chowk
- Bajirao Road: Puram Chowk to Gadgil Statue
- Shivaji Road: Gadgil Statue to Jedhe Chowk
- Karve Road: Nal Stop Chowk to Khandojibaba Chowk
- Fergusson College Road: Khandojibaba Chowk to Veer Chaphekar Chowk
- Jangli Maharaj Road: S.G. Barve Chowk to Khandojibaba Chowk
- Sinhagad Road: Rajaram Bridge to Savarkar Chowk
- Ganesh Road/Mudaliar Road: Power House via Daruwala Bridge and Jijamata Chowk to Futka Buruj Chowk
Heavy-vehicle operators have been asked to avoid these stretches and use alternative routes during the restriction period.
Emergency and Ganeshotsav-related vehicles exempted
The restrictions will not apply to emergency and essential-service vehicles, including ambulances, fire brigade vehicles and police vehicles.
Vehicles engaged in specified Ganeshotsav-related activities have also been exempted from the restrictions.
The order has been issued by Dr Sandeep Bhajibhakare, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Pune City, as part of the traffic management arrangements for Ganeshotsav.
Why Pune Traffic Police have imposed the restrictions
Central Pune witnesses a sharp increase in footfall during Ganeshotsav as thousands of people visit prominent Ganesh mandals and markets, particularly in the Peth areas.
Several of the roads covered by the restrictions, including Laxmi Road, Tilak Road, Bajirao Road, Shivaji Road, Kumthekar Road and Kelkar Road, pass through areas that see substantial pedestrian movement during the festival.
The restrictions are aimed at preventing heavy vehicles from adding to congestion on these roads and facilitating safer movement of pedestrians and other traffic.
The inclusion of Karve Road, Fergusson College Road, Jangli Maharaj Road and parts of Sinhagad Road also restricts heavy-vehicle movement on some of the important routes leading towards the central parts of the city.
Motorists should note that these restrictions are specifically for heavy and oversized vehicles on the identified stretches. They should not be confused with separate traffic diversions, road closures or parking restrictions that may be introduced for general traffic during Ganeshotsav and the immersion process.
Pune Traffic Police have appealed to motorists and heavy-vehicle operators to cooperate with the arrangements and follow alternative routes during the restriction period.
