The state has welcomed Bappa to celebrate its grandest festival, Ganeshotsav, and an air of immense enthusiasm has filled the streets. This year's celebrations promise to be even more vibrant and convenient, thanks to the extension of Pune Metro services to accommodate the surge in commuters.
Extended Metro Services for Ganeshotsav
In response to the growing demand from commuters, the Pune Metro authorities have announced plans to extend passenger services during the Ganeshotsav festival. The extended services will begin on September 22 and continue until September 27, providing an additional two hours of operation each day, from 6 am to 12 midnight. The festivities will culminate on September 28 with the celebration of Anant Chaturdashi, and to facilitate the revelry, the Pune Metro will further extend its services. On this day, metro services will operate from 6 am to 2 am, offering commuters an additional four hours of convenience.
Commuters' Plea for Extended Metro Hours
Commuters have long voiced their desire for Pune Metro trains to run until midnight during the ten-day Ganeshotsav. This request stems from the belief that extended metro services would ease commutes to the city's central areas, where traffic restrictions are typically enforced during the festival. Vijay Landge, a resident of Dapodi, emphasized the importance of this extension, suggesting that the metro's frequency could be increased to accommodate the expected surge in passengers. Currently, metro services operate until 10 pm on both routes, from Vanaz to Ruby Hall Clinic and from PCMC to Civil Court. However, commuters eagerly anticipate the extension of service hours until at least midnight.
Maha Metro's Extension Plan
Maha Metro officials have responded to these demands by actively working on an extension plan. Details about this plan, including information about routes, train frequency, and stoppages, will be revealed in the coming days. The officials have also acknowledged that they are reviewing the technical aspects to determine the feasibility of extended service hours during the festival period. In a separate development, Maha Metro in Nagpur has announced that it will increase the frequency of metro trains starting on September 18. To accommodate the growing number of commuters, trains will now run every 10 minutes during peak hours, effectively increasing train services by 25%. Currently, metro services in Nagpur operate from 6 am to 10 pm daily.
Metro Work During Ganeshotsav
As preparations for Ganeshotsav continue, Maha Metro in Pune has taken steps to minimize disruption to visitors. The metro authorities have confirmed that construction work will be restricted to barricaded areas to avoid inconveniencing festivalgoers. They have assured the public that measures will be in place to ensure the smooth movement of devotees. Continuous communication with traffic police and Ganesh mandals, along with the deployment of additional wardens in construction areas, will contribute to a hassle-free experience for all.
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