Pune Ganesh Traffic Plan
Pune Imposes Traffic Restrictions and AI Monitoring for Ganesh Immersion Processions
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Pune’s immersion procession will begin with पूजा at 9 a.m. on September 25 at the first Manacha Ganpati, Shri Kasba Ganpati, with Laxmi, Tilak, Kumthekar and Kelkar roads converging at Alaka Talkies Chowk.
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Pune traffic police are using the AI-based platform Trafficure, which has monitored traffic since the first day of the festival to predict congestion and redeploy officers based on real-time conditions.
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In Nashik, public mandals will immerse their main worshipped idols by 11 a.m. and then gather at Wakdi Barav before joining the main procession, which will continue along Main Road, MG Road, Ashok Stambh, Ravivar Karanja and Panchavati Karanja.
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Nashik Ganeshotsav Mahamandal president Sameer Shete said the early immersion was intended to avoid nighttime safety problems and “an embarrassing situation” caused by possible impediments on the narrowed roads.
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In Savanur, the procession had begun with traditional cultural troupes and was stopped after about 500 metres; committee president Mahesh said the festival had proceeded without disturbance for nearly three decades and that the Muslim community had not objected to the route. Police later deployed personnel near the temple as a precaution.
Pune will shut down 17 major roads and ban heavy vehicles for 48 hours during Ganesh idol immersion processions on September 25 and 26, Times of India reported. The main procession will start at 9 a.m. at Shri Kasba Ganpati and flow through Laxmi, Tilak, Kumthekar and Kelkar roads, converging at Alaka Talkies Chowk. Police will use artificial intelligence to predict traffic jams and reposition officers in real-time.
The restrictions come after participating mandals surged from 608 in 2022 to over 1,000 in 2023, straining city roads and crowds. After initially facing limits, mandals that have marched for at least two years or are celebrating jubilees won approval to participate, Free Press Journal said.
AI Traffic System Predicts Congestion in Real Time
Pune traffic police are using Trafficure, an AI-based platform that has monitored festival traffic since day one. The system predicts where congestion will form and tells officers where to go. Free Press Journal said around 40 major Ganesh mandals have GPS trackers on their chariots, feeding live location data to one digital platform.
Mandals Win Permission After Two-Year Participation Rule
Pune police initially tried to shorten the immersion event and limit crowds by restricting which mandals could join. Mandals that have marched the same route for at least two years or are celebrating jubilees can now participate after the initial cap triggered threats of protests and alternative immersion plans.
Nashik Speeds Up Main Idol Immersions to Avoid Night Delays
In Nashik, Kumbh Mela-related road construction has narrowed procession routes. Public mandals will immerse their principal idols by 11 a.m., then gather at Wakdi Barav before joining the main procession on Main Road, MG Road, Ashok Stambh, Ravivar Karanja and Panchavati Karanja. Ganeshotsav Mahamandal president Sameer Shete said early immersion avoids nighttime safety problems and traffic blockages on cramped roads.
Savanur Police Halt Procession Over Route Near Mosque
In Savanur, Karnataka, police stopped an immersion procession after it traveled 500 metres, citing concerns about its planned route near a mosque. Committee president Mahesh said the festival had run smoothly for nearly three decades without objections from the Muslim community. Police later deployed extra personnel near the temple as a precaution while discussions continued about the route.
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