Pune Traffic Update: Major Diversions Across City For Ambedkar Jayanti Processions

Large gatherings expected on April 14; police announce extensive road closures, diversions and bus route changes across Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad

Pune will witness major traffic changes on April 13 and April 14 due to large-scale celebrations and processions marking Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti. With heavy crowds expected across key areas, the traffic police and PMPML have implemented extensive diversions, restrictions and alternate routes to maintain order and avoid congestion.

Traffic restrictions will begin as early as 6 am in several parts of the city and continue until the crowd disperses. Key areas affected include Pune Station, Collector Office, Vishrantwadi, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Dandekar Bridge, Sinhagad Road and Camp areas.

Major Traffic Restrictions And No-Entry Zones

Vehicular movement will be restricted or completely banned on several routes where processions will pass.

Movement is prohibited between Rahatani Phata Chowk and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk in Rahatani village. Heavy vehicles will not be allowed from Kunal Hotel to Nakhate Vasti Chowk.

Additionally, no-entry restrictions will be enforced from Mahadev Mandir/Pimple Saudagar Police Chowki towards Rahatani Phata, and from the T-point near Jeevanjyoti Hospital towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk.

In central Pune, traffic around Pune Station, Maldhakka Chowk, GPO Chowk and surrounding areas will be diverted or restricted due to expected crowd near Ambedkar statues and procession routes. 

Key Diversions And Alternate Routes

To manage congestion, police have announced multiple alternate routes:

Vehicles traveling from Rahatani Phata or Kunal Hotel should use the Kalewadi Phata route. Traffic from Mahadev Mandir or Jeevanjyoti Hospital areas will be diverted via P.K. Chowk.

On Sinhagad Road, traffic towards Swargate will be diverted via Swatantryaveer Savarkar Chowk, Sanas Maidan and Senadatta Police Chowky, while vehicles coming from Sinhagad Road to Swargate will move through Asha Hotel Chowk.

Drivers heading towards Shivajinagar via Bajirao Road are advised to take Puram Chowk–Lokmanya Tilak Road–Alka Talkies Chowk–Khandoji Baba Chowk route. Vehicles moving towards Ganesh Road from Lal Mahal Chowk should use Kamala Nehru Hospital to Laxmi Road route.

In Vishrantwadi, vehicles heading towards Alandi and Bhosari will be diverted via Chandrama Chowk and Holkar Bridge. Entry from Airport Road and Sapras Chowk towards Vishrantwadi will remain restricted.

Dandekar Bridge And Central City Changes

From 4 pm on April 13 till midnight on April 14, diversions will be in place near Dandekar Bridge.

PMPML buses on routes 12, 42 and 299 will run via Sanas Statue, Nilayam Talkies, Mangir Baba Chowk and Lokmanya Nagar.

Several other routes including 15, 17, 47, 50, 52, 52A, 97, 117, 118 and 118A will be diverted through Sarasbaug, Rajendranagar, Mhasoba Chowk and Dattawadi before returning to normal routes. 

Pune Station And Camp Area Traffic Changes

Due to heavy footfall near Pune Railway Station, buses from Dr. Ambedkar Station, Sassoon Road and Maldhakka bus stand will now operate from the Petit bus stand at Pune Station depot.

On return journeys, buses will move via Wadia College and Alankar Chowk. Several routes will also be diverted through Sadhu Vaswani Chowk, Narpatgiri Chowk, KEM Hospital area, Rasta Peth Power House, Lal Deul and Police Headquarters depending on congestion. 

Pimpri-Chinchwad And Industrial Belt Diversions

In Pimpri Chowk, diversions will be active from 3 pm on April 13 to 2 am on April 14.

Bus routes including 42, 122, 123, 139, 139A, 262, 281, 317, 336, 337 and 366 will be rerouted via Dairy Farm Grade Separator.

Metro Shuttle 32 and routes in the 331 and 344 series will operate via H.A. Corner, Rasrang Chowk, Auto Cluster, Mother Teresa Bridge and Vijaynagar.

In Wadgaon Sheri and Kharadi, routes 153, 234 and 235 will bypass Tata Guard Room and operate via Nagar Road, Chandan Nagar bypass, Durga Mata Mandir and Radisson Hotel.

Parking Restrictions And Special Instructions

No-parking zones have been announced across busy junctions including Dorabji Chowk, Aurora Tower, Naz Chowk and Tarapore Road junction. Citizens are advised to use designated parking spaces like SSPMS Maidan and Tukaram Shinde parking lot.

Access to Sassoon Hospital will remain open only for emergency services. Authorities have also ensured that ambulances and essential vehicles will not be affected by restrictions. 

Crowd Management And Timing

Around 14 processions are expected between Rahatani and key chowks between 5 pm and 10 pm. Traffic curbs in most areas will be enforced from 4 pm to 10 pm, though some restrictions start earlier in the day depending on location.

Officials have urged commuters to plan travel in advance, follow designated routes and avoid unnecessary movement in crowded areas to ensure smooth traffic flow and public safety.