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Pune is gearing up for Dahi Handi celebrations on Krishna Janmashtami, with the city bracing for significant gatherings, especially in central areas. To manage peak-hour traffic during Tuesday evening's festivities, the Pune City Traffic Police have announced several diversions.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Am Zende, has stated that from 5 pm on Tuesday, once the Dahi Handi events begin in central Pune, traffic diversions will be enforced. These will remain until the handis are broken, local mandals conclude their programmes, and roads are cleared.
Traffic Diversions for Dahi Handi Celebration
Vehicles travelling from Shivaji Road to Swargate will be rerouted via SG Barve Chowk, Jangli Maharaj Road, Khandoji Baba Chowk and then either Tilak Road or Shastri Road. Similarly, vehicles from Bajirao Road to Shivajinagar via Puram Chowk will be diverted through Tilak Road and Fergusson College Road. Commuters can also travel to Senadatt Chowk from Puram Chowk.
To reach the Pune Municipal Corporation from SG Barve Chowk, vehicles must take Jangali Maharaj Road and turn left at Jhansi Chi Rani Chowk. One-way traffic will be implemented from Budhwar Chowk to Appa Balwant Chowk. Traffic will not be allowed from Rameshwar Chowk to Shanipar; commuters must use alternate routes.
Additional Traffic Measures
The route from Sonya Maruti Chowk to Seva Sadan Chowk via Laxmi Road will be halted, with vehicles diverted from Sonya Maruti Chowk towards Phadke Haud. Traffic from Shivaji Road heading towards Ganesh Road via Jijamata Chowk and then to Daruwala Bridge will be redirected through Gadgil Statue, Kumbharves Chowk, Pawale Chowk, and Old Sat Toti Police Chowki.
On Ganesh Road, traffic will be closed from Daruwala Bridge. Vehicles needing to travel to Devjibaba Chowk and Phadke Haud will be diverted via Apollo Talkies, Narpatgiri Chowk, Daruwala Bridge, and Doodh Bhatti. Additional diversions may be implemented as necessary in other parts of the city; commuters will receive local guidance for alternate routes.
Veer Gogadev Utsav Procession Route
Alongside Dahi Handi celebrations, Pune will also host the main procession for Veer Gogadev Utsav starting at 4 pm on Tuesday from New Modikhana in Pune Camp. The procession will pass through landmarks like Pulgate Police Chowky, Medhi Mata Mandir, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Qureshi Masjid, Centre Street, Bhopale Chowk, Centre Street Chowky, Mahavir Chowk and Kohinoor Hotel Chowk before returning to Medhi Mata Mandir. Traffic diversions will start at 4 pm until the procession concludes.
Dahi Handi is a popular festival celebrated across India but especially in Maharashtra following Janmashtami which marks Lord Krishna's birth. The festival involves hanging clay pots filled with milk products at a height while groups form human pyramids to break them symbolising Krishna's childhood activities.
The city is also preparing for potential heavy rains as the IMD has issued a 'Red' alert until Sunday urging residents to stay vigilant. This adds another layer of complexity to managing both celebrations and daily life in Pune during this festive period.
