Pune, 14 June 2025: Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar conducted a comprehensive review meeting to assess the preparations for the upcoming Ashadhi Palakhi procession of Sant Tukaram Maharaj from Dehu and Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj from Alandi.
He instructed the concerned departments to ensure that Warkaris (devotees) do not face any inconvenience during the holy pilgrimage and that all necessary facilities are provided at resting points and along the entire Palakhi route.
Considering the monsoon, Pawar directed officials to make proper arrangements at halting places and ensure that the procession faces no hurdles due to rain, especially in the Dive Ghat area. He also stressed on restricting public access in risky ghat sections to prevent accidents, and recommended barricading in areas where hill excavation work is ongoing to avoid rockfalls endangering devotees.
The Deputy CM also ordered immediate clearance of debris and pothole repairs on the old Palakhi route near Undavadi-Kadepathar towards Baramati and expedited work on the Indapur-Pandharpur Palakhi Highway to guarantee a smooth and safe passage. He emphasized the removal of metro construction material along roads under PMRDA’s jurisdiction.
MSEDCL was directed to keep teams alert for uninterrupted power supply. Zilla Parishads and municipalities must clean the roads and villages immediately after the Palakhi moves forward, and make arrangements for backup generators if required, with additional funds to be made available from the District Planning Committee.
To avoid accidents during storms, unauthorized hoardings along roads must be removed urgently, and structural stability audits of authorized hoardings should be conducted. Revenue and police officials will conduct joint inspections for this purpose.
In light of lingering COVID-19 concerns, Pawar appealed to Palakhi and Dindi leaders to encourage devotees with symptoms like fever or cough to undergo medical check-ups before joining the procession. Medical teams along the route will be equipped with necessary medicines and facilities for quick treatment.
During the meeting, the Pune Traffic Police launched the new ‘PTP Trafficop’ mobile app and a dedicated Palkhi tracking app for real-time monitoring of the processions. The ‘Project Vari’ digital initiative by Pune Police Commissionerate was also inaugurated, which will help in accurately counting the number of Warkaris, aiding better planning in the future.
