Pune, 12 June 2025: In a first-of-its-kind unique move, the Pune Zilla Parishad will erect German hangar-style shelters at 12 strategic points along the Palakhi route this year to shield Warkaris from the monsoon rains. This upgraded infrastructure will accompany a broader set of improvements, including mobile toilets, clean drinking water, and emergency medical facilities for pilgrims walking in the Sant Tukaram Maharaj and Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj palakhi.
The initiative was announced by Gajanan Patil, Chief Executive Officer of the Pune Zilla Parishad, during a press conference held on Wednesday. He highlighted that the Tukaram Maharaj Palakhi will begin its journey on June 18, followed by the Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palakhi on June 19. Senior officials including Additional CEO Chandrakant Waghmare, District Health Officer Dr. Sachin Desai, and Deputy CEO for Water and Sanitation Appasaheb Gujar were present at the briefing.
Patil stated that the district administration has meticulously planned arrangements at all overnight halts on the route. Preparations at certain sites are ongoing but will be completed on priority. Notably, the sanitation and healthcare funds provided to village panchayats have been increased from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh per halt, ensuring better services for the devotees.
In an innovative attempt to enhance toilet access, the Zilla Parishad conducted a detailed survey of villages along the route. The survey identified 21,438 private household toilets that can be temporarily opened to Warkaris during the pilgrimage. Additionally, toilets located in temples, community halls, hotels, and wedding venues will also be made available for use.
To help pilgrims easily spot available sanitation facilities, every such toilet, private or public, will be marked with a white flag. This practical solution is expected to greatly ease the journey for lakhs of devotees by addressing hygiene concerns and minimizing the impact of unpredictable weather.
