Anticipating the risk of swine flu spreading during the annual pilgrimage to Pandharpur, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has sent letters to all the heads of dindis (groups participating the pilgrimage) asking them to take precautionary measures to avoid getting infected by the swine flu virus.

The letter warns people about the ways the H1N1 virus spreads and asks people with swine flu symptoms not to join the group. "Hordes of people will be teeming in to the city for Palkhi that would be held in the city for three days. Thus, we have sent letters to over 600 groups, urging them to adopt precautionary measures during the mega event," said Dr RR Pardeshi, PMC's acting medical officer.

Besides, PMC has assigned Nana Peth hospital, Sonawane hospital and Gurwar Peth for the round the clock service of pilgrims.