Pune Navratri Traffic Diversions 2026: Essential Road Closures & Routes

October 16, 2026 PuneTV Team 0 Comments

Pune Navratri traffic diversions 2026 : Illustration of a Pune Traffic Police officer directing traffic during the Navratri festival

(Image: AI-generated for PuneTV)

Pune Navratri Traffic : With Sharadiya Navratri now underway, Pune Traffic Police have activated a detailed diversion plan to keep the city moving while lakhs of devotees visit major temples over the ten-day festival period. The arrangements, which came into force on October 11 and will remain in effect until Dussehra on October 20, focus on four busy temple zones — Tambdi Jogeshwari, Chatushrungi, Bhavani Mata and Mahalakshmi Temple — along with the heavy pilgrim rush heading toward Ekvira Devi on the old Mumbai-Pune highway.

A key feature of this year’s plan is that many curbs are dynamic, meaning they will be switched on or off depending on live crowd density rather than being enforced rigidly all day. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Dr. Sandeep Bhajibhakare has appealed to motorists to cooperate with ground staff and plan their travel with extra buffer time.

Here is what commuters actually need to know, zone by zone.

1.Tambdi Jogeshwari Temple, Budhwar Peth

In force from October 11

The stretch connecting Appa Balwant Chowk (ABC) and Budhwar Chowk (Hutatma Chowk) has been shut to regular traffic. To keep some movement possible, the same road is being run as a one-way corridor in the reverse direction, allowing vehicles to travel from Budhwar Chowk toward ABC.

Where you cannot enter:

Tambdi Jogeshwari Road from Ganpati Chowk on Laxmi Road
The Sakal office side approach toward the temple (ambulances and fire brigades exempt)

Suggested routes:

From Appa Balwant Chowk, go via the Kakasaheb Gadgil statue and Shivaji Road
From Laxmi Road heading toward the temple side, continue straight to Sevasadan Chowk, turn right onto Bajirao Road, then proceed via ABC toward Shaniwar Wada

Parking: The riverbed road between Tilak Bridge and Bhide Bridge, the Mandai parking facility, and notified roadside pockets are the recommended options. Parking around the temple and adjoining areas of Shaniwar Peth and Narayan Peth will be strictly controlled.

2. Bhavani Mata Temple, Bhavani Peth

Active through the festival period

Mahatma Phule Road — specifically the segment between Ramoshi Gate Chowk and Juna Motor Stand — is closed in both directions and has been declared a strict no-parking zone.

Diversion in practice:
Vehicles arriving from Sant Kabir Chowk via Ramoshi Gate will be turned left at A.D. Camp Chowk, then sent through Bharat Cinema and Padamji Chowki Chowk before turning right toward Juna Motor Stand. To keep this flow smooth, the one-way rule on a portion of Jadhav Road has been temporarily eased.

PMPML buses that normally use Ramoshi Gate are being rerouted through Seven Loves Chowk, Golibar Maidan Chowk and Swargate Chowk.

Note: If crowd pressure increases, Nehru Road may also come under additional restrictions.

3. Chatushrungi Temple, Senapati Bapat Road

Conditional — activated only if congestion builds

This zone works differently from the others. No fixed closure is in place. Restrictions will kick in only if traffic starts backing up on Senapati Bapat Road.

What could change:

Vehicles from Patrakar Nagar Chowk may be routed via Shivaji Housing Chowk, with the left side of Senapati Bapat Road converted into a one-way stretch
Further diversions may be applied through Vetal Baba Chowk, Deep Bungalow Chowk and Om Super Market

Devotee parking: The Polytechnic ground has been designated for parking. Approach it via Shivaji Housing Chowk, K. Sawant Chowk and Firodia Path, or come from Veer Chaphekar Chowk / Ganeshkhind Road.

4. Mahalakshmi Temple, Sarasbaug

Special morning arrangement on Monday, October 12

A dedicated traffic plan was enforced on October 12 from roughly 4:30 am to 7:00 am for the collective Shri Sukta and Atharvashirsha recitation programme.

Closures during that window:

The road from Swargate via Sarasbaug toward the Swatantryaveer Savarkar statue
Traffic from Mitra Mandal Chowk toward Puran/Savarkar Chowk

Alternate routes:

From Mitra Mandal Chowk, proceed via Savarkar Chowk and Sinhagad Road, or use Jedhe Chowk / Volga Chowk as directed
Vehicles coming from Sinhagad Road should avoid entering Savarkar Chowk at Puran Chowk and instead take the Mitra Mandal Chowk–Volga Chowk route
From Jedhe Chowk, traffic is diverted at Jamnalal Bajaj Putla toward Puran Chowk

(Commuters are advised to confirm the exact programme date with the temple trust, as recitation schedules follow the tithi calendar.)

5. Pune-Mumbai Highway: Ekvira Devi Temple Rush

Heavy vehicle restrictions — October 15 to 19, and until October 20 near the temple

Kusgaon Budruk toll plaza (Lonavala) to Vadgaon Phata: Heavy vehicles are barred from the old Mumbai-Pune highway daily from 6 am to 10 pm between October 15 and 19
Karla Phata to the Ekvira Devi temple foothill: Heavy vehicles are prohibited throughout the day until October 20
Pune-bound heavy vehicles are being diverted at Kusgaon Budruk onto the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, proceeding via the Urse toll plaza
Mumbai-bound heavy vehicles are diverted at Talegaon Phata through Urse Ghat

Light vehicles and private cars are not covered by this ban, but expect slow-moving stretches near Lonavala and Karla during peak pilgrim hours.

Pune Navratri Traffic : Why the final two days matter

In 2026, Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami both fall on Monday, October 19 because of the extended Saptami tithi. That makes October 19–20 the heaviest window for temple footfall, which is why police have kept dynamic restrictions active right through Dussehra on October 20 rather than winding down after Navami.

Pune Navratri Traffic : Practical advice for commuters

Check live traffic before leaving. Since several curbs are need-based, Google Maps and official Pune Traffic Police handles will reflect ground reality better than any fixed list.
Build in extra time if your route touches Budhwar Peth, Bhavani Peth, Sarasbaug or Senapati Bapat Road during morning and evening peak hours.
Use public transport where possible for darshan trips, especially to Tambdi Jogeshwari and Bhavani Mata.
Emergency vehicles — ambulances and fire brigades — are exempt from all restrictions.
Two-wheeler riders should avoid parking in unauthorized pockets near temples; towing is being enforced in no-parking zones.

These arrangements are temporary and aim to balance everyday city movement with the heavy religious footfall that defines Navratri in Pune. Travel patiently, follow on-ground police instructions, and keep an eye on real-time updates before you set out.

Also read :-Pune-traffic-rules-2026