Metro Mania: Pune Experiences Mumbai-Style Overcrowding During Ganesh Visarjan
Reported by Varad Bhatkhande
Pune, 17th September 2024: An unprecedented crowd was seen on the Pune Metro, particularly between 6 PM and 8 PM, as people from across the city flocked to the central Peth areas to witness the grand Ganesh Visarjan (immersion). The 5 Manache Ganpati mandals participated in today’s immersion procession. For the first time, the Pune Metro experienced crowds reminiscent of Mumbai’s local trains.
Passengers had to wait for 2 to 3 trains as they were overloaded, especially at the Pune District Court Metro Station, where the interchange takes place.
People traveling from the Pimpri-Chinchwad area had to switch lines at the Civil Court station, along with those coming from Ramwadi, all converging at destinations like Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), Chhatrapati Sambhaji Udyan, and Deccan Gymkhana Metro Stations.
According to sources, even the escalators at the Pune District Court Metro Station were malfunctioning, and passengers couldn’t access the lifts. With the Metro operating 24 hours today due to Anant Chaturdashi Visarjan and limited parking for private vehicles, public transportation saw high demand.
Shail Matade, a passenger, described the scene: “The trains were so crowded. I couldn’t board three consecutive trains because they were packed. There was pushing and pulling everywhere, but nothing could stop me from seeing my beloved Bappa on this holy occasion.”
Ishaan Dhadwad, another traveller, shared his experience: “I thought driving my car would be a bad idea, but even the Metro was packed with people. It felt almost like the Mumbai local trains, but I understand – many, like myself, wanted to witness Ganaraya today.”
Hemant Sonawane, Executive Director of Pune Metro, told Punekar News, “Today, we witnessed an unprecedented crowd on the Pune Metro. However, our stations are equipped to handle such crowds. I urge passengers to remain patient. Pune Metro officials are managing the situation well.”
