Traffic Alert: Major Diversions on JM Road and FC Road for Pune Book Festival (Dec 13-21)
Pune, December 14, 2025: Commuters using the busy Jangali Maharaj (JM) Road and Fergusson College (FC) Road corridor will face temporary traffic changes for eight days starting Saturday, December 13, until Sunday, December 21, 2025. These diversions are being implemented to manage the anticipated massive crowds attending the Pune Book Festival 2025 at Fergusson College.
The announcement was made via an official circular issued by the Pune City Traffic Police, signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Himmat Jadhav. The traffic changes will be in effect daily from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM throughout the duration of the festival.
The Pune Book Festival, organized by the National Book Trust (NBT), Ministry of Education, Government of India, is expected to draw a large gathering of citizens, students, VVIPs, and VIPs, with an estimated attendance of 9 to 10 lakh over the nine-day period.
🛣️ Alternative Routes for Commuters
To prevent congestion on JM Road and FC Road, the Traffic Police have mandated the following alternative routes for through-traffic:
| Route Direction | Original Route | Alternative Route |
| From JM Road towards Karve Road | Direct route via Balgandharva Chowk/FC Road. | Take a left turn at Balgandharva Chowk, proceed via Nadipatra Road, and then via Mahadev Mandir to reach the desired destination. |
| From Karve Road towards Shivajinagar | Via FC Road. | Proceed to Nal Stop, continue onto Law College Road, and then take Senapati Bapat Road (SB Road) to reach Shivajinagar. |
Please find the official press release from Pune Traffic Police in this regard:
🅿️ Book Festival Parking & Entry Instructions
For citizens attending the Pune Book Festival, specific entry, exit, and parking arrangements have been designated:
- Vehicle Entry & Parking: Visitors arriving by two-wheelers, four-wheelers, or buses must enter Fergusson College through Gate No. 3 (near Sant Tukaram Maharaj Paduka Chowk) and use the designated parking grounds inside the college premises.
- Alternative Free Parking: Additional, free parking space is available for two-wheelers and four-wheelers at:
- The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) parking lot located opposite FC College Gate No. 2.
- The Brihan Maharashtra College of Commerce (BMCC) premises.
- Pedestrian Entry: Only walking visitors are permitted to use Gate No. 2 for entry.
- Exit: All visitors leaving the festival premises must use Gate No. 4.
The temporary changes have been implemented using powers vested under the Motor Vehicles Act, Sections 115, 116(1)(a)(b), 116(4), and 117, to ensure the smooth and safe flow of traffic in the area during the high-footfall event. Commuters are advised to plan their journeys accordingly and use the alternate routes to avoid delays.
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