Saswad, Pune | June 14, 2025 — Ahead of the upcoming Ashadhi Wari pilgrimage, Pune Rural Police conducted a mock drill in Saswad to test preparedness and coordination among key departments. The drill was aimed at strengthening safety and emergency response measures for the lakhs of devotees expected to pass through the town on their way to Pandharpur.
Police officials, along with teams from fire services, health departments, and local authorities, participated in the exercise. Various situations, including medical emergencies, crowd movement, and traffic management, were simulated as part of the drill.
Speaking after the event, Superintendent of Police (Pune Rural) Pankaj Deshmukh said the exercise was necessary to identify challenges and improve inter-agency coordination. “This is an important step to ensure everything is in place before the actual event. Safety and smooth passage of devotees are our top priorities,” he said.
Saswad is a key route for the palkhi processions of Sant Tukaram Maharaj and Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj, making crowd management essential. Traffic diversion plans were tested during the mock drill, and routes were assessed for efficiency and accessibility.
Medical services also conducted field checks. Temporary aid stations, ambulances, and mobile health teams were included in the response plan to handle potential emergencies during the pilgrimage.
A centralized control room will be set up to monitor the movement of devotees during the event. Authorities will use surveillance tools such as CCTV cameras and drones to keep a watch on crowd density and act quickly if required.
District officials also shared that awareness drives are being carried out to educate pilgrims and locals about safety instructions, helpline numbers, and available medical services. Clean drinking water points, portable toilets, and waste management systems are also being arranged along the route.
Ashadhi Wari, a major spiritual event in Maharashtra, sees lakhs of devotees walking to Pandharpur to mark Ashadhi Ekadashi. This year’s event is expected to draw an even larger crowd, making preparation critical.
Officials expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the mock drill and said additional reviews will be conducted in the coming weeks. The police and administration aim to ensure that the pilgrimage takes place peacefully and without incident.
