The decision was taken to avoid congestion near Chatuhshrungi temple, Bhavani Mata temple in Bhavani Peth and Tambdi Jogeshwari temple in Budhwar Peth where fairs and other religious activities are held, traffic police said.

Seven arterial roads near these three temples would be closed for traffic between 5 pm and midnight. Special passes will be provided to the residents to avoid inconvenience.

Among the roads to be closed include: the stretch of the Ganeshkhind Road between Geeta Bhavan Chowk (Indo-Bremen Maitri Chowk) at Aundh and Shimla Office in Shivajinagar, part of the Senapati Bapat Road from the Shivaji Housing Society to the junction near the Vaikunth Mehta Institute, lanes which link the Firodia bungalow with the Savant Chowk on Flight Lieutenant Kadam Road and Pallavi Housing Society, road linking the Dhotre Chowk with the Pallavi Housing Society.

The lane linking the Ramoshigate chowk on Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Road with the Old Motor Stand in Bhavani Peth and the Tambdi Jogeshwari Road which connects the Ganpati Chowk on Laxmi Road with the Tambdi Jogeshwari temple will also remain closed.

The traffic on the Ganeshkhind road will be diverted via Spicer College, Ambedkar Chowk in Aundh, Bopodi Chowk and Mumbai-Pune Road. The vehicles plying between Shivajinagar and Vetalbaba Chowk will be re-routed via Dhotre Chowk and Deep Bungalow Chowk.

The vehicles going toward the University of Pune from Vetalbaba Chowk will be diverted via Shivaji Housing Society Chowk, Savant Chowk, Dhotre Chowk and Chatuhshrungi Road. Those heading in the opposite direction will be re-routed via Dhotre Chowk and Deep Bungalow Chowk.

The vehicles going toward Old Motor Stand in Bhavani peth from the Sant Kabir Chowk on Laxmi Road will be diverted via A D Camp chowk, Bharat Cinema and Pudumjee Park police chowkey. Those plying between the Hotel Seven Loves and Old Motor Stand will be rerouted via Bhagvan Bahubali Chowk.

The vehicles going from the Ganpati chowk on Laxmi Road toward Tambdi Jogeshwari temple in Budhwar Peth will be rerouted via Seva Sadan Chowk, Bajirao Road, Appa Balvant Chowk and Appa Bhonde lane.

Vehicular parking will be banned completely along the stretch of Ganeshkhind Road between the Rangehills Corner and the University Chowk. Hawkers will be allowed to erect temporary stalls near the Rohini Hospital and Indraprastha Marriage Hall near Chatuhshrungi temple.

Meanwhile, the Pune police have made elaborate arrangements to ensure peaceful celebrations. Six deputy commissioners, 14 assistant commissioners, 18 inspectors, 80 sub-inspectors and 1,000 strong constables will be deployed.

These policemen will be assisted by 100 home guards, two companies of the State Reserve Police Force and Rapid Action Force. The in-charges of various police stations have also been directed to take adequate measures to curb eve-teasing and chain snatching.