Pune News: PMC Reviews Preparations For Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram Palkhi Processions

Pune, June 16, 2026: The palanquins (Palkhis) of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Sant Tukaram Maharaj are scheduled to arrive in Pune city on Thursday, July 9, 2026. In preparation for the annual pilgrimage, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) conducted an extensive inspection of the Palkhi routes and reviewed arrangements required for the smooth conduct of the procession.

The inspection was attended by Union Minister of State for Cooperation and Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, Mayor Manjusha Deepak Nagpure, Deputy Mayor Parashuram Wadekar, Standing Committee Chairman Shrinath Bhimale, MLA Hemant Rasane, PMC Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram, Additional Municipal Commissioner (East) Prajit Nair, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) Party Leader Sopan alias Kaka Chavan, corporators Sunil Shinde, Suhas Tingre, Harshal alias Ravi Tingre, Sheetal Sawant, Sangeeta Dangat, Ashwini Bhandare, Nandini Dhende, Rafiq Sheikh, Pallavi Jawale, Ravindra Kakade, Dutta Bahirat, City Engineer Aniruddha Pawaskar, Chief Engineer (Electrical) Manisha Shekatkar, Deputy Commissioner Circle 5 Madhav Jagtap, Chief Engineer (Water Supply) Nandkishore Jagtap, Deputy Commissioner Circle 1 Asha Raut, Deputy Commissioner (Education) Vasundhara Barve, Joint Municipal Commissioner (Garden Department) Ashok Ghorpade, and officials from various PMC departments and regional offices.

During the inspection of the Palkhi routes of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Sant Tukaram Maharaj, discussions were held on preparations required for the arrival of the Palkhis. Instructions were issued regarding disaster management planning at the Yerawada-Kalas-Dhanori, Aundh-Baner, Bhavani Peth, and Hadapsar regional offices. Directions were also given regarding road repairs, removal of encroachments, safety at halt locations, water supply, sanitation facilities, healthcare services, repair of stormwater drains and chambers, and overall cleanliness.

Key instructions issued during the review included:

• The Sewerage Department has been directed to clean the culvert over the drain at Mhaske Vasti and Kalas and increase the depth of drains where necessary. All chambers along the Palkhi route are to be inspected, fitted with iron grills, and stormwater pipelines checked and repaired on priority.

• Regional offices have been instructed to ensure regular removal of garbage accumulated on stormwater chambers across the city.

• Continuous 24-hour cleanliness must be maintained throughout the route to safeguard the health of Warkaris. The Solid Waste Management Department has been directed to provide all required sanitation facilities.

• Officials have been instructed to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply and adequate lighting along the entire Palkhi route.

• Stray vehicles and abandoned materials obstructing roads are to be removed and disposed of appropriately.

• Resting and relaxation centres for Warkaris are to be established at various locations along the route. These centres will provide clean drinking water, mobile toilets, emergency medical units, and other essential facilities. Mobile medical units will also be deployed to offer healthcare services.

• Traffic Police have been instructed to ensure smooth traffic movement and prevent any disruption to the Palkhi procession.

• The Road Department has been directed to repair roads and footpaths. Boundary walls along the routes will be cleaned, and tree branches obstructing the procession route will be trimmed.

• Authorities have been instructed to make proper arrangements for Palkhi darshan and crowd management through barricading at halt locations to prevent inconvenience to devotees. Fire safety measures are also to be provided at locations where prasad is distributed.

• The Encroachment Department and multipurpose squads have been directed to remove stalls, temporary structures, and other encroachments obstructing traffic on the Palkhi routes.

• The Water Supply Department will ensure water supply along the Palkhi routes and at all halt locations of the Palkhis and Dindis. A 24-hour maintenance and repair mechanism will remain operational throughout the event.

• Representatives of various institutions suggested arrangements for mobile toilets and drinking water facilities at Sancheti Chowk, Vishrantwadi Chowk, FC Road, Alka Talkies Chowk, and other key locations along the route.

• Adequate sanitation workers will be deployed at locations where social organizations and mandals provide meals and refreshments to Warkaris. Clean drinking water will also be made available at these sites.

• Repairs of public toilets in the vicinity of Palkhi halt locations will be completed, and mobile toilets will be deployed at various locations. Schools used as accommodation for Dindis will be provided with water supply and toilet facilities.

• The Health Department has been instructed to carry out preventive spraying along the Palkhi routes and in schools before the arrival of the processions. The Solid Waste Management Department will undertake cleanliness drives, deploy mobile toilets, and ensure public sanitation facilities are cleaned and repaired.

PMC officials stated that all departments have been directed to complete the required works well before the arrival of the Palkhis to ensure a safe, clean, and comfortable experience for lakhs of Warkaris expected to participate in the annual pilgrimage.