Pune: In light of the upcoming Ganesh Festival, Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) has announced several changes to its bus services from September 7 to September 17.

With major roads in the central part of the city closing to traffic after 5 PM, 66 PMPML bus routes will be altered to avoid disruption and minimize inconvenience to commuters.

The Ganesh Festival, a popular and heavily attended event in Pune, leads to significant traffic congestion. To manage the influx of people visiting the festival displays, the city's traffic police have decided to close roads in key areas to public and private transport during the evenings. PMPML has therefore rerouted buses to ensure smooth transport for students, workers, and devotees during this period.

1. Swargate-bound buses (from Shivaji Road):

   • New route: Jangli Maharaj Road → Bal Gandharva → Deccan → Sambhaji Bridge → Tilak Road to Swargate.

   • If Tilak Road is closed, buses will divert via Shastri Road → Dandekar Bridge → Mitramandal Chowk → Lakshmi Narayan Chowk to resume their regular routes.

2. Shivajinagar-bound buses (via Bajirao Road from Swargate):

   • No route changes.

3. Route 3 and Route 6:

   • Suspended throughout the festival period.

4. Route 55:

   • During road closures, buses will start from Natraj Station instead of Shanipar-Mandai.

   • New route: Ambil Odha Colony → Senadatta Police Station.

5. Routes 58 and 59:

   • Buses will operate from Deccan Gymkhana.

   • No changes to the route from Kothrud to Pune Railway Station.

1. Buses returning from Pune Station:

   • New route: Sasoon Hospital → Maldhakka → Old Bazaar → Municipal Building → Congress Bhavan → Bal Gandharva → Deccan Bus Station → Khanduji Baba Chowk.

2. Kondhwa Gate to Pune Station:

   • New route: Kelkar Satya → Appa Balwant Chowk → Mal Mahal → Devji Baba Temple → Gurudwara Road → Hamza Khan Chowk.

3. Return route from Pune Station to Kondhwa Gate:

   • If Lakshmi Road is closed, buses will divert via Modern Bakery Chowk → Seven Loves → Swargate → Nehru Stadium → Tilak Road to Deccan.

4. Shastri Road closures affecting Routes 12, 42, and 299:

   • Buses will divert via Dandekar Bridge → Senadatta Police Station → Mhatre Bridge → Karve Road to Deccan.