Pune: Traffic Diversions Today For Dahi Handi Celebrations In Mandai Area
Pune, 7th September 2023: Stringent security arrangements have been put in place across the Pune city and its suburbs in anticipation of the Dahi Handi celebrations today. Starting Thursday afternoon, modifications to the traffic system in the central region are expected, with traffic diversions in the Shivaji Road and Mandai areas.
The Dahi Handi festival holds significant importance in the central region, drawing massive crowds to locations like Mandai, Belbag Chowk, and Hutatma Babu Genu Chowk. Both city residents and suburban visitors flock to these areas in large numbers. To accommodate the festivities, traffic adjustments will be made in the central part, affecting roadways such as Shivaji Road, Laxmi Road, Bajirao Road, and Tilak Road after Thursday evening. Traffic in this vicinity will be redirected via alternative routes, and the traffic branch personnel will be deployed to manage traffic flow at the Sahitya Parishad Chowk on Tilak Road, where the Dahi Handi celebrations are scheduled.
The following traffic changes will be implemented in the central area:
- Motorists traveling from Shivaji Road to Swargate will need to take Jungli Maharaj Road.
- From Barve Chowk (Modern Cafe Chowk), they can proceed to Deccan Gymkhana, Tilak Road, or Shastri Road.
- Motorists heading to Shivaji Nagar from Puram Chowk on Bajirao Road to reach their destination via Tilak Chowk.
Traffic changes in the Mandai area are as follows:
- Traffic bound for Appa Balwant Chowk will be rerouted through Budhwar Chowk.
- Motorists traveling from Appa Balwant Chowk to Budhwar Chowk should use Bajirao Road to reach their destination.
- The road between Rameshwar Chowk and Shanipar Chowk in Mandai will be closed to traffic, necessitating the use of alternate routes.
- PMPML buses traveling to Swargate from Shivaji Road will be rerouted through Tilak Road.
“Considering the large crowds that gather in central region for the Dahi Handi festival, a substantial police presence will be maintained in the Mandai area. Organizers have been instructed to adhere to High Court regulations regarding the use of loudspeakers, with a strict cutoff time of 10 pm. To enhance security and prevent possible incidents of theft, organizers have also been directed to install CCTV cameras”, said Sandeep Singh Gill, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone I).
