Pune, 8th July 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has completed extensive preparations to welcome the Palkhi processions of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Sant Tukaram Maharaj under its 'Pune Pratham-Sevawari 2026' initiative.
The civic administration has put in place accommodation, sanitation, healthcare and emergency services to ensure a safe and comfortable stay for thousands of Warkaris arriving in the city.
After the Indrayani River flooded parts of Alandi, the state government appealed to Warkaris to avoid travelling to Alandi and instead halt in Pune. Acting on this advisory, PMC arranged accommodation in 101 municipal schools, which have been closed until Saturday to house the pilgrims.
Mayor Manjusha Nagpure on Tuesday inspected the Palkhi route and key halt locations along with corporators, civic officials and police officers to review the preparedness.
The civic body has established comprehensive facilities at Palkhi routes and designated halt points, including:
Clean drinking water
Temporary toilets
Medical assistance
Street lighting
Fire safety arrangements
Emergency response teams
Round-the-clock control rooms
Mayor Nagpure inspected preparations at Palkhi Vitoba Chowk, Nivadunga Vitoba Temple, Jyotiba Phule Girls' School in Nana Peth, and Shantabai Ladkat Primary School, where large German tents, accommodation facilities, electricity supply and other essential services have been arranged.
With heavy rainfall continuing in Pune and moderate showers expected over the next few days, the Mayor instructed officials to ensure that water does not accumulate on roads or at accommodation sites, preventing inconvenience to Warkaris.
She directed disaster management teams, the health department and the fire brigade to remain on 24-hour alert at all waterlogging-prone locations during the Palkhi procession.
Mayor Manjusha Nagpure appealed to citizens to cooperate with the administration and police to ensure the Palkhi procession is conducted safely, cleanly and in a spiritually uplifting atmosphere.
She said the 'Pune Pratham-Sevawari 2026' initiative aims to uphold the values of equality, brotherhood and humanity preached by the saints while delivering efficient civic services to devotees.
