E-Paper
Pune police to deploy over 8,500 personnel for palkhi
The processions of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Sant Tukaram Maharaj are one of Maharashtra’s most revered religious events, drawing lakhs of warkaris and devotees from across the state and country
Pune police will deploy over 8,500 police personnel for the annual Ashadhi Wari Palkhi procession, scheduling security and traffic management arrangements from July 9 to July 12.
The security deployment includes four additional police commissioners, 13 deputy commissioners of police (DCPs), 30 assistant commissioners of police (ACPs), four senior police inspectors, 182 police inspectors, 570 assistant police inspectors and sub-inspectors, 6,552 police amaldars, three platoons of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), 1,250 home guards, 12 Quick Response Teams (QRTs), six Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads (BDDS), and 12 specialised strike teams.
The processions of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Sant Tukaram Maharaj are one of Maharashtra’s most revered religious events, drawing lakhs of warkaris and devotees from across the state and country. Police have made elaborate arrangements to ensure pilgrim safety, smooth procession movement, and minimal public inconvenience.
The Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi will enter Pune on July 9 through Bopkhel, halt for lunch at Phulenagar, and proceed to the Vitthal Temple in Bhavani Peth, covering around 16 km.
On the same day, the Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi will enter the city through Khadki and halt at the Nivdunga Vitthal Temple in Nana Peth, travelling about 12 km. Both palkhis will stay in Pune on July 10.
On July 11, the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi will leave Pune via Hadapsar, Uruli Devachi and Dive Ghat towards Saswad, while the Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi will proceed through Hadapsar to Loni Kalbhor. On July 12, the Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi will leave the Pune city limits towards Yavat.
Pune police commissioner Amitesh Kumar said, “This year, we have deployed advanced surveillance systems along the procession routes and halt points. The security infrastructure includes AI-enabled cameras, facial recognition cameras and advanced video analytics cameras.”
According to Pune city police, 125 AI-enabled cameras have been installed along the Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi route, 101 AI-enabled cameras on the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi route, while 28 facial recognition cameras and 36 advanced video analytics cameras have been installed at 24 strategic locations.
Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads (BDDS), dog squads and Quick Response Teams will remain on high alert throughout the event. Special crime branch teams have also been deployed to prevent offences such as chain-snatching, pickpocketing and crimes against women.
As in previous years, police will provide live location tracking of both palkhis through their official web portal and social media platforms. Real-time traffic diversions, road closures and alternate routes will also be made available online to help commuters plan their travel.
Police assistance centres have been established along the procession routes and at major halt points. Separate queues and arrangements have been made for male and female devotees visiting the temples for darshan.
Police have appealed to devotees and citizens to cooperate with security personnel, follow designated routes and traffic advisories, and use the official live updates for a safe and hassle-free pilgrimage.
