PUNE: Pune Metro recorded a sharp rise in ridership on the first day of Ganeshotsav this year, with 2,62,671 passengers using the service on Monday. The figure was 46,297 higher than the 2,16,374 passengers recorded on the first day of the festival last year. This marked a 21.40% increase in ridership.
The Metro administration increased the frequency of trains to manage the festival rush. Trains are being operated at an interval of five minutes during the peak period. The other major stations also recorded significant footfall. The Metro has planned extended services during the festival to help devotees visit pandals at night. The five-minute frequency will help handle the increased passenger demand.
The Mahatma Phule Mandai Metro station recorded the highest footfall with 51,533 passengers till 11 pm. This was a 21.73% increase from 42,334 passengers recorded at the station on the first day of Ganeshotsav last year. The District Court station, which serves as an interchange, recorded 58,948 passengers. This was a 21.89% increase from 48,359 passengers last year. PCMC recorded 25,429 passengers, Ramwadi 23,644, Swargate 21,099 and PMC 19,267 passengers.
Passengers have been advised to use Mahatma Phule Mandai station mainly for their return journey to help manage crowds.”
Chandrashekhar Tambvekar, public relations officer for Pune Metro, said, “The Metro administration has advised devotees visiting central Pune to use Kasba Peth, Swargate, PMC, Deccan Gymkhana and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Udyan stations.
