Ganeshotsav: Nashik changes traffic routes, no entry on immersion, pandal routes

Nashik city sees Ganeshotsav celebrated with great enthusiasm, and to ensure devotees can view pandal decorations comfortably and immersion processions proceed without hindrance, the Nashik city police administration has made special traffic arrangements. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Headquarters and Traffic) Chandrakant Gawali has issued two separate notifications under the Motor Vehicles Act, implementing a "no vehicle zone" on roads including the Panchavati area and central routes, and announcing changes to traffic.

Crowds swell considerably during the immersion of household and public Ganesh idols on the 5th day, Friday, September 18, 2026, and the 7th day, Sunday, September 20, 2026. Keeping this in mind, buses and heavy vehicles will not be allowed on certain roads from 2 pm to midnight. These roads are: the route from Nimani bus station via Panchavati Karanja and Malegaon Stand towards Ravivar Karanja, and the route from CBS via Ashok Stambh and Ravivar Karanja towards Panchavati Karanja.

Those travelling from Nimani to Nashik Road, Cidco or Satpur will need to go via Nimani, Katya Maruti Chowk, Santosh Tea Point (or Vishwakarma Chowk), Kannamwar Bridge and Dwarka. Those travelling from CBS to Panchavati and Nimani will need to go via CBS, Ashok Stambh, Ramwadi Bridge, Makhmalabad Naka, Pethnaka signal and Dindori Naka towards Nimani stand.

Huge crowds gather every year in the Panchavati area to view the pandal decorations. Keeping this in mind, from September 21 to 24, 2026, all types of vehicles will be completely barred from certain roads daily from 5 pm to midnight, or until the pandals close. These roads are: Dindori Naka to Panchavati Karanja and Malegaon Stand, and Makhmalabad Naka to Malegaon Stand. In addition, junctions inside Panchavati will also be closed: Malviya Chowk to Gajanan Chowk, Gajanan Chowk to Nag Chowk, Nag Chowk to Shivaji Chowk, and Shivaji Chowk to Malviya Chowk. Both roads between Sardar Chowk and Shri Kalaram Temple in the Kalaram Mandir area will also be closed.

To go from Dindori Naka to Malegaon Stand, one will have to take the route via Peth Phata, Makhmalabad Naka, Bathjabai Chhawani, Ramwadi and Chopda Lawns. To go from Dindori Naka to Nimani or elsewhere, the route will be via Dindori Naka, Nimani, Katya Maruti Chowk and Santosh Tea Point. To go further from Makhmalabad Naka, an alternative route via Peth Naka will have to be used.

The police administration has given a clear warning that strict action will be taken against anyone who violates these rules. However, the restriction will not apply to police vehicles, ambulances, fire brigade vehicles and the vehicles of local residents in those areas. The police administration said that those who violate this notification will face strict legal action under the Motor Vehicles Act and the Bombay Police Act.