The Pune city traffic police have announced road closures and traffic diversions for Dr Ambedkar Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, on Friday (April 14). Large gatherings of people are expected at various locations in the city.
The three main gatherings will be at areas around the Pune district collectorate, Vishrantwadi and the Aurora Towers Chowk area in Pune Camp. Deputy Commissioner of Police Vijaykumar Magar issued the notification for road closures and traffic diversion in this regard. These traffic changes will not apply to vehicles involved in emergency services and those of police and armed forces, the notification said.
Traffic changes for areas around the Pune district collectorate (from 6 pm on April 13 till gatherings disperse on April 14):
Traffic from Shahir Amar Shaikh Chowk to Maldhakka Chowk will be closed entirely. This traffic will be diverted via RTO Chowk and Jehangir Chowk. Traffic from GPO Chowk to Bolhai Chowk will be closed and will be diverted via Kirad Chowk and Nehru Memorial Chowk. Traffic from Pune Station to Maldhakka Chowk will be closed. Traffic from Narpatgiri Chowk to Maldhakka Chowk will be closed and will be diverted via Kamla Nehru Hospital and Kumbharwes Chowk. Traffic from Shahir Amar Shaikh Chowk to Banerjee Chowk will be closed and will be diverted via 15 August Chowk and Pavale Chowk. Temporary no-parking zones will be earmarked in the area, and additional parking space has been allocated for the vehicles of citizens coming to pay respects.
Traffic changes for Aurora Towers Chowk area in Pune Camp (from 6 am on April 14 till the gatherings disperse)
Traffic from Koyaji Road to Pune station will be closed at Tin Tofa Chowk and will be diverted via SBI House Chowk. Traffic from ISKON Temple to Dr Ambedkar Statue next to Aurora Towers will be closed. Traffic from Nehru Chowk to Tin Tofa Chowk will be closed and will be diverted via Kirad Chowk, taking a left from Nehru Chowk. Additional parking space has been allocated in the area.
Traffic changes for the Vishrantwadi area (from 3 pm on April 14 till gatherings disperse)
Vehicles from the city area to Pune airport and Tingre Nagar area will be diverted via Commerce Zone area or via Yerawada prison and post office. Traffic from Pune city to Bopkhel, Dighi and Alandi will be diverted via Shantinagar Chowk and Kalas Phata. Traffic from Kalas, Bopkhel, Dighi, Alandi to Pune city will be diverted via Kalas Phata and Tank Road in Khadki. Traffic from Dhanori to Pune will be diverted via Anand Mangal Karyalay Road and 509 Chowk. The traffic from Pune Airport to Khadki and Bhosari will be diverted via Siddheshwar Chowk and Alandi Road.
Traffic police officials said events at Dandekar Bridge Chowk to mark the occasion are expected to attract large gatherings. Traffic changes have been put in place from 8 pm on April 13 till midnight of April 14. For this event, the traffic from Savarkar Chowk to Sinhagad Road will be closed and diverted via Saras Baug Chowk, Mangirbaba Chowk and Bal Shivaji Chowk. Traffic from Asha Chowk on Sinhagad Road to Savarkar Chowk will be closed and will be diverted via Senadatt Chowky and Na Si Phadke Chowk.
Officials also said that owing processions taken to and from various statues of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar installed in the city, traffic may be stopped or diverted from time to time if required on April 14, and commuters wou be guided by on-duty traffic police personnel.