By Prachi Mishra
Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad police have declared major traffic restrictions and diversions on Saturday, February 22, due to the visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to the city. The minister will visit a hotel in Koregaon Park for the Western Zonal Council meeting and a function in Balewadi for the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana beneficiaries.
For the ease of movement and safety during the visit, the authorities have issued a series of traffic adjustments, specifically on heavy vehicles. Heavy vehicles have been banned for a whole day on major roads such as Pashan Road, Baner Road, and Aundh Road. Slow-moving heavy vehicles will also not be allowed within Pune city during the day.
Pimpri Chinchwad Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Bapu Bangar has suggested people use alternative routes between 12 PM and 8 PM on Saturday to reduce traffic congestion. In the Hinjewadi Traffic Division, those heavy vehicles plying from Chande, Nande, and Mahalunge towards Radha Chowk and vice versa will be stopped, and an alternative route via Godrej Chowk and Hinjewadi will be taken. Sus Bridge and Nyati Showroom vehicles will be diverted through Mumbai-Bengaluru Highway and Hinjewadi. Front road in front of the Mahalunge Main Gate of Balewadi Stadium will be entirely closed to all traffic between Sheetalai Devi Chowk and Mahalunge Police Chowky. The traffic between Radha Chowk and Mula River Bridge will be regulated except for those who are coming to the scheduled event at Balewadi.
More traffic diversions will be implemented under the Baner Traffic Division. Cars going towards Radha Chowk from Baner Road will be diverted either through the underpass of the Kia Showroom or Nanavare underpass. Cars from Highway Bypass Road to Baner Road will be diverted via Balewadi Jakat Naka and Balewadi High Street. Commuters going to Hinjewadi, Wakad, Lonavala, and Mumbai from the city have been instructed to steer clear of Baner Road and take Pashan Road or Aundh Road instead. A two-way system will be set up on the road between Turf Club and Water Tank Circle in Wanawadi on a temporary basis.
The authorities have requested residents and commuters to arrange their travel in advance so as not to be inconvenienced. The traffic changes are one of the security measures for Amit Shah’s visit to help ensure an uninterrupted flow of movement for dignitaries and reduce disruption to public transport.