India, June 27 -- Ahead of the Ashadhi Wari (pilgrimage), the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) on Friday removed around 70 illegal hoardings along the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Sant Tukaram Maharaj palkhi routes passing through its jurisdiction. The action was taken to ensure smooth and safe movement of lakhs of Warkaris participating in these processions during the Ashadhi Palkhi Sohala scheduled to be held in July.

According to PMRDA officials, metropolitan commissioner Dr Abhijit Chaudhari and additional commissioner K Manjulakshmi had in May directed officials to conduct a survey of all hoardings along the pilgrimage routes and initiate action against unauthorised structures. Subsequently, the PMRDA unauthori...