India, June 17 -- The ongoing road-widening work and persistent traffic jams along the Dive Ghat stretch of the Hadapsar-Saswad Palkhi Marg have raised serious concerns ahead of the annual Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi procession from Alandi to Pandharpur. Road-widening work has been underway for the past six months and is expected to continue for at least a year, according to road construction officials. The delay will pose a major challenge with lakhs of Warkaris set to take the Dive Ghat route during the pilgrimage. Even deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar has expressed concern over the situation, urging swift action so that the pilgrims are not inconvenienced.

Whereas minister of rural development and panchayat raj, Jaykumar Gore, car...