Pune: The vibrant and grand Ganesh festival in Pune, a magnet for devotees from across the country, saw an unprecedented surge in metro usage this year.

Pune Metro On Anant Chaturdashi

• Passengers: 346,633

• Revenue: ₹5,492,412

With thousands flocking to the streets to participate in the celebrations, many opted for the city's growing metro network for safe and convenient travel.

Between September 7 and September 17, 2024, a total of 2,044,342 passengers used the metro to commute, with September 17—Anant Chaturdashi—witnessing record-breaking footfall.

On this auspicious day, metro services ran 24 hours, resulting in 346,633 passengers traveling during this period, contributing to revenue exceeding ₹5.4 crore.

Pune Metro Passenger Traffic on Other Days:

• Ganesh Chaturthi (Sept 7): 117,723 passengers, ₹1,446,150 revenue

• Saturday (Sept 14): 243,435 passengers, ₹2,973,589 revenue

• Sunday (Sept 15): 225,644 passengers, ₹2,795,432 revenue

• Monday (Sept 16): 166,534 passengers, ₹2,809,649 revenue

The metro's routes from Vanaz to Ramwadi and Pimpri-Chinchwad to the District Court have consistently seen heavy traffic, especially the Vanaz to Ramwadi route.

To cater to the demands of the immersion day, metro services were extended till midnight, and then further extended till 2 AM to facilitate late-night travelers. This expansion of metro operations not only offered convenience but also resulted in a significant boost in earnings.

Passenger numbers remained high throughout the festival, with Saturday, September 14, seeing 243,435 commuters generating a revenue of ₹2.9 crore. Sunday and Monday also saw strong numbers.

The metro's growing popularity can be attributed to its timely expansion, improved infrastructure, and extended service hours that align with the needs of Pune’s residents during major festivals like Ganeshotsav.

Metro stations like PMC, PCMC, Ramwadi, and Pune Railway Station have emerged as top hubs for passenger activity, with each station witnessing hundreds of thousands of commuters and contributing significantly to overall revenue.

As the Pune metro network continues to grow, the increasing passenger count and revenue numbers highlight its integral role in the city's transport ecosystem, especially during cultural events that draw massive crowds.

Pune Metro Station-wise Response:

• PMC: 311,578 passengers, ₹4,160,514 revenue

• PCMC: 280,808 passengers, ₹4,324,555 revenue

• Ramwadi: 158,693 passengers, ₹3,020,479 revenue

• Pune Railway Station: 136,725 passengers, ₹2,003,815 revenue

• Deccan Gymkhana: 135,734 passengers, ₹1,863,610 revenue