Pune, 20 June 2025: In view of the annual Ashadhi Palkhi procession, the Pune City Police have imposed a prohibitory order restricting entry to the Dive Ghat hill area on June 22, 2025. This step has been taken under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023 to ensure public safety and the smooth passage of the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi.
The order has been issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Branch-1) and Additional Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma. It aims to prevent accidents as the palkhi will pass through busy areas like Fursungi, Vadki Gaon, Dive Ghat, and onwards to Saswad, where large crowds of devotees and Warkaris are expected.
Police highlighted that widening work is underway on a 4-km stretch of Dive Ghat under the NHAI, handled by a private contractor. Due to this, the road condition has become unstable and slippery, posing a risk, especially since the Indian Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rainfall on the same day.
Dive Ghat’s steep cliffs often attract tourists and social media content creators. However, given the combination of crowds, ongoing work, and the risk of landslides or rockfalls, the area has been declared off-limits from midnight to midnight on June 22.
Officials have warned that anyone violating this order will face legal action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) 2023. Police have appealed to citizens to cooperate, avoid the restricted zones, and follow safety instructions to uphold the sanctity and peaceful conduct of the Palkhi tradition.
