Pune: To enhance cleanliness and ensure a dust-free experience for pilgrims, the Alandi Municipal Council has implemented nighttime cleaning of the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj temple premises and major roads. The decision was announced by newly appointed Chief Officer Madhav Khandekar as part of a broader effort to improve city sanitation.
Alandi sees a large influx of devotees, particularly in the early morning, for darshan and pradakshina (circumambulation of the temple). Previously, the cleaning process began at 7:00 AM, which often caused inconvenience to devotees and obstructed traffic. Additionally, garbage accumulated throughout the day made the temple surroundings unclean by morning.
To address these issues, the municipal health department and sanitation workers have now been assigned to clean the temple area, circumambulation path, and main city roads at night. This new cleaning schedule ensures that the city is clean before devotees arrive in the morning, offering them a pleasant and uninterrupted religious experience.
Comprehensive Cleaning Plan Across Key Locations
The cleaning initiative will cover major roads and key areas in a systematic manner, including:
Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Temple Premises
Alandi Municipal Road to Y Junction
Y Junction to Chakan Chowk
Chakan Chowk to Vadgaon Chowk
Vadgaon Chowk to Markal Chowk
Markal Chowk to Police Station
Police Station to Municipal Council
In addition to road cleaning, waste management measures have been strengthened. Wet and dry waste will be collected separately and processed accordingly, while strict penalties will be imposed on those who litter in public areas.
Appeal for Community Participation
The Alandi Municipal Council has urged all residents, businesses, and religious establishments to dispose of waste responsibly. Owners of dharmashalas (pilgrim lodges), wedding halls, and hotels have been specifically asked to use municipal waste collection vehicles (ghanta gadi) instead of dumping garbage in open areas.
"We request all citizens to support this initiative and help keep Alandi clean and beautiful," said Madhav Khandekar, Chief Officer, Alandi Municipal Council.
