Tue Feb 18 18:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Pune Traffic Diversions Planned for Shiva Jayanti Celebrations
**Pune, Maharashtra:** Extensive traffic diversions will be implemented in central Pune on Wednesday, to accommodate the Shiva Jayanti procession and the “Jai Shivaji Jay Bharat” foot march. The diversions, announced by Deputy Police Commissioner Amol Zende, will affect several key areas including Jungli Maharaj Road, Fergusson Road, Laxmi Road, Chhatrapati Shivaji Road, and Bajirao Road.
The “Jai Shivaji Jay Bharat” foot march, organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, will begin at 9 am from the College of Engineering grounds in Shivajinagar. A large student participation is expected, leading to significant traffic disruption between Jungli Maharaj Road, Sancheti Chowk, and Khandoba Chowk. Traffic from Engineering Chowk will be diverted towards the Kamgar Putala in Mangalwar Peth. Traffic on Khandoba Chowk to the main entrance of Fergusson College (Gopak Krishna Gokhale Path) will be closed in phases. Vehicles from Kothrud and Karve Road heading towards Deccan will be diverted via SNDT College and the Law College. Traffic from Tilak Road towards Khandoba Chowk will be diverted as needed, along with traffic from Kelkar Road via Kakasaheb Gadgil Bridge and Bhide Bridge.
The main Shiva Jayanti procession, starting after 6 am, will also cause major disruptions along Chhatrapati Shivaji Road, impacting traffic flow until the procession concludes. Specific diversions will be implemented on Laxmi Road, Bajirao Road and Chhatrapati Shivaji Road during the procession. The procession is expected to conclude near the SSPMS school. During this time, Chhatrapati Shivaji Bridge will be closed. Alternative routes will be provided via Narayan Peth, Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde Bridge and Congress Bhavan.
Participants in the foot march are advised to park their vehicles at Sangamwadi parking, while those coming from Karve Road and Kothrud can park along the riverbank road. Similar parking arrangements have been made for those arriving via Swargate, Hadapsar, Dandekar Bridge, and Ganeshkhind Road. The Ganesh Road to Jijamata Chowk and Appa Balwant Chowk to Hutatma Chowk in Budhwar Peth will also be closed to traffic.
Post-event, Jungli Maharaj Road and Deccan Gymkhana will be the recommended routes. Traffic on Tilak Road towards Deccan will be restored once the foot march ends.
**Separate Note:** Actor Sharad Ponkshe has voiced concerns regarding the poor condition of the Yashwantrao Chavan Auditorium in Beed, where his play “Purush” is currently running. He criticized the unsanitary bathrooms, lack of AC despite a ₹21,000 rent, and insufficient restrooms on his Instagram. He urged Beed authorities for improvements or threatened to not perform there again.
First Piper 