In preparation for Ambedkar Jayanti, commemorating the birth of B. R. Ambedkar on Tuesday, April 14, significant road closures and traffic diversions will be enforced in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. This occasion is expected to attract large crowds as people gather to pay their respects. Additionally, a prohibition on the entry of heavy and multi-axle vehicles will be implemented at eleven entry points into the city.
Tribute events are planned at various locations throughout Pune; however, the primary gatherings will occur at the Pune District Collector’s office, the Vishrantwadi to Kalas Phata route, Aurora Towers Chowk in Pune Camp, and the Sinhagad Road junction. The traffic notification was issued by Himmat Jadhav, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic Control), on Monday.
For the area surrounding the District Collector’s office, diversions will be in effect from 6 AM until the conclusion of the processions and dispersal of attendees.
Specifically, traffic from Shahir Amar Shaikh Chowk to Maldhakka Chowk will be entirely closed and redirected via RTO Chowk and Jehangir Chowk. Traffic traveling from GPO Chowk to Bolhai Chowk will also be closed, with diversions through Kirad Chowk and Nehru Memorial Chowk. Additionally, routes from Pune Station to Maldhakka Chowk and from Narpatgiri Chowk to Maldhakka Chowk will be closed, directing vehicles via Kamla Nehru Hospital and Kumbharwes Chowk. Lastly, traffic from Shahir Amar Shaikh Chowk to Banerjee Chowk will be halted and rerouted through 15 August Chowk and Pavale Chowk.
At Aurora Towers Chowk in Pune Camp, traffic restrictions will be enforced from 6 AM until the end of the gatherings. Vehicles traveling from Koyaji Road to Pune Station will be stopped at Tin Tofa Chowk and redirected via SBI House Chowk. Access from the ISKON Temple to the Dr. Ambedkar Statue at Aurora Towers will also be restricted. Moreover, traffic from Nehru Chowk to Tin Tofa Chowk will be closed and diverted through Kirad Chowk after taking a left from Nehru Chowk.
In the Vishrantwadi area, traffic changes will be implemented from 3 PM until attendees have dispersed. Vehicles traveling from the city to Pune Airport and Tingre Nagar will be redirected either through the Commerce Zone area or via Yerawada Prison and Post Office. Additionally, traffic from Pune city to Bopkhel, Dighi, and Alandi will be rerouted via Shantinagar Chowk and Kalas Phata. Conversely, vehicles moving from Kalas, Bopkhel, Dighi, and Alandi to Pune City will be diverted via Kalas Phata and Tank Road in Khadki. Traffic from Dhanori to Pune will follow a different route via Anand Mangal Karyalay Road and 509 Chowk, while vehicles traveling from Pune Airport to Khadki and Bhosari will be redirected via Siddheshwar Chowk and Alandi Road.
At the Sinhagad Road junction near Dandekar Bridge, diversions will be active from 4 PM to 9 PM. Authorities anticipate large gatherings in this area for the celebrations. As a result, traffic adjustments will begin from 8 PM to midnight on April 13. This includes the closure of traffic from Savarkar Chowk to Sinhagad Road, which will be redirected through Saras Baug Chowk, Mangirbaba Chowk, and Bal Shivaji Chowk. Furthermore, traffic from Asha Chowk on Sinhagad Road to Savarkar Chowk will be closed and rerouted via Senadatt Chowky and Na Si Phadke Chowk.
In Pimpri Chinchwad, traffic adjustments will take place across various divisions including Pimpri, Bhosari, Dighi-Alandi, Dehu Road, Chakan, Chikhli, and Nigdi. These changes will be in effect from noon until 10 PM on Tuesday. Areas affected include Lokmanya Hospital Chowk, River View Chowk, Basweshwar Chowk, Mahavir Chowk, Nashik Phata, Nehru Nagar, Rasrang Chowk, Samrat Chowk, PCMC Outgate, Science Park, Harris Bridge to Fugewadi, Bopodi Sanvidhan Chowk, Shitaladevi Chowk, and Dehu Kaman to Shivaji Chowk, along with Bhakti Shakti Overbridge up to Pimpri.
Moreover, a ban on the entry of very heavy and multi-axle vehicles will be enforced until 1 AM on April 15. This prohibition applies at eleven city entry points, including Theur Phata, Harris Bridge, Bopkhel Phata, Radha Chowk in Baner, Navale Bridge, Katraj Chowk, Khadi Machine Chowk, Mantarwadi Phata, Kharadi Bypass, Ravidarshan Chowk, and Bhairobanala Chowk.
