Pune: Traffic on several major and internal roads in Pimpri Chinchwad will remain closed or diverted from Wednesday for the annual palkhi processions of Sant Tukaram Maharaj and Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj.The traffic branch has planned road closures and diversions in Dehu, Alandi and along the palkhi routes until both processions enter Pune city on July 9.Deputy commissioner of police (traffic) Vikrant Deshmukh said the entry of heavy vehicles has been restricted in Dehu and Alandi. “The entire palkhi procession route has also been declared a ‘No-Tolerance Zone’ for all types of vehicles. We appeal to commuters to use alternate routes,” Deshmukh said.The Sant Tukaram Maharaj palkhi began its journey from Dehu on Tuesday. It will halt in Akurdi on July 8 before proceeding to Pune on July 9.Police bandobastThe Pimpri Chinchwad police have deployed additional personnel to ensure the smooth conduct of the palkhi processions. Besides personnel from the Pimpri Chinchwad Police Commissionerate, police teams from other units have also been deployed.“We have formed special teams to prevent eve-teasing, chain-snatching and theft during the processions,” an officer from the Pimpri Chinchwad crime branch said.Pune Rural police gear upPune Rural superintendent of police (SP) Sandeep Singh Gill said the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi will enter Pune Rural police limits at Zendewadi near Saswad on July 11 and travel about 55km through the district.The Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi will enter Pune Rural police limits at Kunjirwadi near Uruli Kanchan on the same day and travel around 160 km through the district.“We have made adequate security arrangements for both processions. Special teams have also been formed to prevent thefts and other crimes during the pilgrimage,” Gill said.He added that traffic diversions have been planned to facilitate the smooth movement of warkaris. “Police will also continue the ‘Harit Wari’ initiative this year, under which personnel from police stations along the procession routes will plant trees,” he said.Road closures and diversions for Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palki on July 8Sant Tukaram Maharaj palkhi route: Inamdar Saheb Wada, Dehugaon – Angadshah Baba Dargah – Chincholi Paduka – Dehu Kaman – Bhakti Shakti Chowk – Tilak Chowk – Vitthal Temple, Akurdi – Shivaji Chowk – Mahavir Chowk – Morwadi Chowk – Pimpri Chowk – Vallabhnagar – Nashik Phata – Phugewadi – Dapodi – PuneDehu Road traffic divisionRoad closed: Stretch between Central Chowk and Dehu Kaman will be closed for all vehiclesAlternate routes: Commuters can reach Dange Chowk via Mamurdi, Kivale and Bhumkar ChowkNigdi traffic divisionRoad closed: Pune-Mumbai highway at Bhakti-Shakti Chowk for vehicles coming from MumbaiAlternate routes : Kachghar Chowk-Bijleenagar Chowk and Dange ChowkRoad closed: Khandobamal to Tilak ChowkAlternate routes: Vehicles will be diverted either via Thermax Chowk or ChinchwadRoad closed: Talawade to Triveninagar ChowkAlternate routes : Vehicles coming from Rupinagar to Triveninagar Chowk will be diverted to Chakan via Chicken ChowkRoad closed : Mhalasakant Chowk to Khandobamal-Internal roads leading to Vitthal Rakhumai temple in Akurdi will be diverted till the palkhi leaves the temple– Traffic coming from Kalbhornagar towards Bhakti Shakti Chowk will be diverted via grade separator– Traffic towards Mumbai from Bijleenagar Chowk will be diverted via RavetRoad closures and diversions for Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palki on July 9Pimpri traffic divisionRoad closed: Auto Cluster to Hanuman ChowkAlternate route: Traffic will be diverted via Mother Teresa Chowk and KalewadiRoad closed: Pimpri Chowk to Gandhinagar ChowkAlternate route: Commuters can reach their destination via Mahavir Chowk– Service road from Vallabhnagar towards Pune will be closed. Commuters can use the grade separator to reach their destinationBhosari traffic divisionRoad closed: Phugewadi Chowk to Harris Bridge grade separatorAlternate route: Commuters reach Pune or Sangvi via Dapodi overbridgeRoad closed: Shitaladevi Chowk to Phugewadi ChowkAlternate route: Commuters can reach their destination via Sangvi, Bopodi and Aundh Road– Ambedkar Chowk, Dapodi will be closed for traffic. Commuters can reach their destination via Sangvi, Bopodi and Aundh Road– Road between Bhosari and Shivajinagar will be closed. Commuters can reach their destination via Nashik Phata overbridge and SangviRoad closures and diversions for Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palki on July 9Palkhi route: Ajolghar-Alandi Nagar Parishad Chowk- Yogiraj Chowk- Dehuphata- Charholi Phata- Alankapuram Chowk -halt at Thorla Paduka, halt at Magazine Chowk – Vitthal Rukmini Chowk in Dighi, Bopkhel Phata- Vishrantwadi-PuneRoad closed: Chimbli to Alandi RoadAlternate route: Vehicles coming towards Alandi from Chakan and Chimbli Phata will be diverted via Bhosari and Magzine ChowkRoad closed: Wadgaon Ghenand to AlandiAlternate route: Koyali to Markalgaon routeRoad closed: Markal to Alandi RoadAlternate route: Dhanore Phata, Charholi Phata and Magazine ChowkRoad closed: Moshi to Alandi RoadAlternate route: Vehicles coming towards Alandi from Moshi will be diverted via Bhosari and Magazine ChowkRoad Closed: Vishrantwadi to Alandi RoadAlternate route: Vehicles going from Pune to Alandi will be diverted via Bhosari-Moshi-Chakan, Charholi Phata to Koyali and Shelpimpalgaon.Parking arrangements in Alandi– Alandi-Dehu Road near Talekar Patil Chowk– Dnyanvilas College, Dudugalgaon Octroi post– Bopdev Chowk– In front of Indrayani hospital on Chakan Road– Vishrantwadi-Wadgaon Road– In front of Muktai Hall
