Pune’s traffic lockdown on January 19 will paralyze much of the city’s central areas as major roads in Shivajinagar and Deccan will be sealed for an international cycling event.
Pune traffic blockade on January 19: Why half the city will feel the impact
Pune city traffic police announced major detours and closures on Monday for the “Pune Grand Challenge Tour”, a cycling competition organized by the Pune district administration in association with the Cycling Federation of India. Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma said the competition will be held from January 19 to 24, 2026, with Pune’s most severe traffic blockade taking place on January 19 for the “Prologue Race” on Monday.
Officials said the racing bikes are expected to travel at between 60 and 70 kilometers per hour, prompting tight security measures along the route. The Pune traffic blockade on January 19 also prompted authorities to declare a collector’s holiday for schools and colleges in nine wards of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).
Pune traffic lockdown January 19: Timings, road closures and no-entry zones
The main restrictions for the Pune traffic lockdown on January 19 will be in force from 09:00 to 18:00, during which the race route will be completely closed to all vehicles and pedestrians. The affected corridors include Fergusson College (FC) Road, University Road, Jangli Maharaj (JM) Road and several connecting roads in the Shivajinagar-Deccan belt.
According to the Traffic Department, the closures will be enforced on key stretches including Khanduji Baba Chowk to Goodluck Chowk (including Garware Bridge to Goodluck Chowk) and Goodluck Chowk to Chafekar Chowk, covering the main segment of FC Road. Additional closures under the Pune traffic lockdown on January 19 include Chafekar Chowk to Range Hills Corner, Range Hills Corner to Sancheti Chowk via Suryamukhi Datta Mandir Chowk, and Sancheti Hospital Chowk to Deccan Gymkhana bus stop via Bala Gandharva Chowk.
Pune traffic lockdown January 19: Alternative routes and public transport tips
To reduce congestion during the Pune traffic lockdown on January 19, the police recommended alternative routes for commuters traveling around the city. Those traveling from Swargate or Kothrud towards the University or Shivajinagar are asked to use Alka Chowk, Senapati Bapat (SB) Road or Riverbed Road via Bhide Bridge instead of passing through Khanduji Baba Chowk.
Vehicles heading from the University or Khadki towards Deccan and city center have to use the old Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Sangamwadi or detours via Range Hills and Khadki. Local traffic that normally uses FC Road and JM Road will be diverted via SB Road, Prabhat Road and Riverside Road during the Pune traffic blockade on January 19.
Pune traffic lockdown January 19: Restrictions and exemptions against parking
A strict no-parking regime will accompany the Pune traffic lockdown on January 19, with Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Himmat Jadhav declaring both sides of the race route as “No Parking Zone” for the entire event period. Any vehicles parked along the designated course may be removed to keep the lane clear for high-speed cyclists.
Emergency vehicles, including fire, police and ambulances, as well as vehicles directly related to competition, are exempt from Pune’s traffic lockdown restrictions on January 19. Police have coordinated with hospitals so that ambulances avoid entering affected areas and patients will instead be transferred to nearby facilities where access is not blocked.
Pune traffic lockdown January 19: Appeal from officials and what citizens should do
Additional commissioner of police Manoj Patil said, “There will be a holiday declared by collectors. We have informed schools and colleges in all nine districts of PMC. People should avoid using vehicles in Shivajinagar area. People can walk and use metro services.” It also indicated that similar restrictions would be planned for January 23 and would be communicated in due course, indicating that Pune’s traffic blockade on January 19 is part of a larger plan for the multi-day cycle tour.
DCP (Traffic) Himmat Jadhav has urged citizens to fully cooperate with traffic personnel, follow diversions and rely on foot and metro services wherever possible during the Pune traffic lockdown on January 19. While the closures will cause significant disruption to commuters from Shivajinagar, Deccan and adjoining neighbourhoods, officials argue that the temporary inconvenience is essential to ensure safety and successfully organize a high-profile international cycling event in Pune.