Ganeshotsav 2026: Pune Metro Records 2.62 Lakh Passengers on First Day

Pune Metro recorded 2.62 lakh passengers on the first day of Ganeshotsav 2026 as devotees and citizens relied on public transport amid festival crowds.

Pune, September 15, 2026: Pune Metro witnessed a massive surge in passenger traffic on the first day of Ganeshotsav, with 2,62,671 passengers using the Metro network in a single day.

The sharp increase in ridership comes as thousands of devotees and citizens travel across Pune to visit Ganesh mandals and participate in the city’s annual Ganeshotsav celebrations.

The Metro has emerged as an important transport option during the festival, particularly as central Pune experiences heavy traffic and limited parking availability.

Special Arrangements for Ganeshotsav

To handle the expected increase in passenger numbers, Pune Metro has introduced an extended operating schedule and additional crowd-management measures during the festival.

From September 14 to 25, trains are scheduled to operate at five-minute intervals during peak hours. Services will continue until 2 am from September 17 to 24, while a special 41-hour continuous service has been planned for the concluding period of Ganeshotsav.

The extended services are aimed at helping devotees travel to and from major Ganeshotsav locations without having to depend entirely on private vehicles.

Advisory for Passengers

With some stations expected to experience exceptionally high footfall, Metro authorities have issued special travel advisories.

Mahatma Phule Mandai Metro Station is expected to remain particularly crowded because of its proximity to several major Ganeshotsav attractions. Passengers have therefore been advised to consider alternative stations such as Kasba Peth, PMC, Deccan Gymkhana and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Udyan, depending on their route.

Metro officials have also introduced separate entry and exit arrangements at Mandai station to regulate passenger movement during the festival period.

Public Transport Sees Increased Demand

The strong first-day ridership highlights the growing role of Metro services in managing Pune’s festival-season mobility.

The official Pune Metro ridership data shows that the network had already been recording daily passenger numbers in the range of roughly 2.4 to 2.7 lakh on several days earlier in September, making the Ganeshotsav surge a continuation of an already strong ridership trend.

With the festival continuing and major celebrations still ahead, Metro officials are expecting significant passenger demand in the coming days.

The increased use of public transport could also help reduce road congestion around central Pune, where large numbers of devotees are expected to visit Ganesh mandals during the festival.

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