Pune Grand Tour Triggers Extensive Traffic Diversions Across City on Friday
In preparation for the final stage of the prestigious Pune Grand Tour cycling event, authorities have announced comprehensive traffic restrictions across Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad this Friday. The event, which commences from Balewadi and concludes at Balgandharva Rangmandir on JM Road, will necessitate significant adjustments to the city's usual traffic flow between noon and 4 pm.
Key Restrictions and Advisory for Commuters
Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma has confirmed that parking will be completely prohibited on all roads along the designated cycling route during the event hours. To mitigate disruptions, all schools within the city will remain closed for the day. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Vivek Patil has strongly urged motorists to avoid the affected areas between 9 am and 6 pm, a wider window than the event timing to account for setup and dispersal.
Residents are advised to monitor the live movement of cyclists via the official portal bpgt2026.punepolice.gov.in to plan their travel accordingly. For emergency medical needs, ten ambulances have been strategically stationed at key locations throughout the city to ensure prompt response.
Detailed List of Affected Stretches and Alternative Routes
Commuters should specifically avoid the following major corridors:
- Katraj-Dehu Road Bypass
- Internal roads of Balewadi and Wakad
- Service roads along the bypass
- Sutarwadi underpass
- Riverside road connecting Baner and Aundh
To facilitate smoother travel, police have recommended several alternative routes:
- Old Pune-Mumbai highway
- Nande-Chande Road and Spicer College Road
- Portions of Baner Road and Range Hill Road
- Internal roads in Khadki, Shivajinagar, Model Colony, Bhandarkar Road, DP Road, Rambaug Colony Road, and Kothrud
Division-Wise Traffic Management Plans
The traffic police have outlined specific diversion plans for various divisions:
Bavdhan Division: Vehicles from Shitladevinagar will be diverted via Chhatrapati Shivaji Stadium Road and near PICT School towards the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway.
Sangvi Division:
- Traffic from Takle Chowk to Rakshak Chowk will use New DP Road.
- Vehicles from Bapuji Buwa Chowk can utilize Lotus and Lily Society Road.
- Traffic from Jagtap Chowk towards the Y-junction will be rerouted via DP Road.
Wakad Area: Vehicles may turn right at Jagtap Chowk or use the DP Road underpass. Traffic heading towards Kalewadi Phata will be diverted through Mankar Chowk and the Jagtap Dairy underpass.
Nigdi Division: Traffic towards K Sadan Chowk via PCB College will be restricted. Alternative routes include roads near Akurdi police chowkey and Dharmraj Maharaj Bridge. Additional diversions will be implemented near Appu Ghar, Bhakti-Shakti Circle, Thermax Chowk, and Bird Valley Chowk.
Pimpri and Chikhali:
- Vehicles approaching Science Park from under Mother Teresa Bridge will be diverted towards Morwadi Chowk.
- Traffic accessing the bridge from the D-Mart side will also be rerouted.
- In Chikhali, traffic from Purnanagar to Bird Valley Chowk on Telco Road will be redirected via Cherry Chowk on Spine Road.
Multiple diversions are also planned near KSB Chowk, Krishnanagar Market, Tool Tech Engineers, Santnagar Chowk, and Nigdi-Bhosari Road. Motorists are advised to consider using the Pune-Nashik highway, Dehu-Alandi Road, or internal roads as alternatives.
Out-of-Bounds Key Stretches for the Event
The following major corridors will be completely off-limits for general traffic during the specified hours:
Baner-Pashan-SPPU Corridor:
- Radha Chowk to Sus Khind
- Pashan Circle to NCL/Abhimanshree
- SPPU Junction to Bremen Chowk to Rajiv Gandhi Bridge
- Ganeshkhind Road (from SB Road Junction to Vetal Baba Chowk to BMCC)
Central Pune Area: JM Road, FC Road, Law College Road, sections of Bajirao Road and Shivaji Road.
Karve Nagar-Kothrud Zone: Karve Road (Nal Stop to Shelar Mama Chowk), Paud Road (Vanaz to Nal Stop), and the route from Nal Stop to Mhatre Bridge to Alka Talkies.
Tilak Road–Peth Areas: Alka Talkies to Puram Chowk, Alka Talkies to Shanipar Chowk, Nehru Road, Sa Go Barwe Chowk to Shimla Office Chowk, and various Rasta Peth routes.
Camp & Ghorpadi Sector: MG Road, Arjun Road, and the stretch from Bolhai Chowk to Sadhu Vaswani Chowk to Ghorpadi Junction.
Pimpri Chinchwad (9 am to 6 pm):
- Nande-Balewadi-Mhalunge Road towards Radha Chowk
- Orchid Hotel to Radha Chowk
- Aundh D-Mart to Dhore Patil Chowk
- Takle Chowk / Bapuji Buwa Chowk to Rakshak Chowk
- Chhatrapati Chowk to Kalewadi Phata, along with several other service-road connections.
