Line 1 (PCMC → Swargate)
Coming from the PCMC side for darshan? Alight at Kasba Peth — not Mandai.
Logistics · 2026
Pune Ganeshotsav 2026 — metro, traffic & road closures
How to reach the old peths without driving into the crush.
Published · Updated
During Pune Ganeshotsav 2026, take MahaMetro into the old city — alight at Kasba Peth (Line 1) or PMC / Deccan (Line 2), and use Mandai mainly for the return. Festival metro hours ran 6 AM–11 PM on 14–16 Sep, until 2 AM on 17–24 Sep, and 41 continuous hours across visarjan (6 AM 25 Sep → 11 PM 26 Sep). Heavy vehicles were banned 24/7 on twelve central stretches from 12–26 September. Do not drive into Budhwar Peth or Laxmi Road on peak evenings.
This page archives the 2026 festival traffic plan for next year's visitors. Confirm future hours on MahaMetro and Pune Traffic Police channels — clocks change every season. Last verified on this page: .
What were Pune Metro hours during Ganeshotsav 2026?
Peak trains about every five minutes. Prefer arriving at Kasba Peth (Line 1) or PMC / Deccan (Line 2); use Mandai mainly for the return journey after darshan. On 25 Sep only, six busy stations used temporary one-way entry/exit for visarjan crowds.
| Dates | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 14–16 Sep | 6 AM – 11 PM | Festival-week hours covering Chaturthi and the days after. |
| 17–24 Sep | 6 AM – 2 AM | Extended night service for mandal visits and late processions. |
| 25–26 Sep | 41 hours continuous | Confirmed: 6 AM on Anant Chaturdashi (25 Sep) through 11 PM on 26 Sep. |
| From 27 Sep | 6 AM – 11 PM | Regular services resume after the visarjan window. |
Which metro station for Mandai, Dagdusheth, or Kasba?
From 14–26 September, Mahatma Phule Mandai Metro Station runs one-way to manage festival crowds. Gate 3 (near the Lokmanya Tilak statue) is entry only; Gate 2 (on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Road) is exit only. Follow staff directions on the day — arrangements can tighten further when queues swell. On Chaturthi (14 Sep) Mandai recorded the highest station footfall on the network (~51,500 passengers) as city ridership hit ~2.63 lakh — another reason to arrive elsewhere and use Mandai for the return.
Line 2 (Vanaz → Ramwadi)
From the Vanaz side, prefer Deccan Gymkhana. From the Ramwadi side, prefer PMC.
District Court interchange
Avoid changing trains at District Court when it is packed — stay on your line and use the stations above.
Mandai for the return
Use Mahatma Phule Mandai mainly after darshan to go home — not as your arrival stop.
Which roads ban heavy vehicles during Ganeshotsav?
Pune City Traffic Police have announced a round-the-clock ban on heavy and oversized vehicles on twelve central stretches from 12–26 September 2026 (through immersion). Ambulances, fire, police, and vehicles carrying festival tableaux are typically exempt — confirm the live order before you drive.
- Shastri Road — Senadatta Chowk to Alka Chowk
- Tilak Road — Jedhe Chowk to Alka Chowk
- Kumthekar Road — Shanipar to Alka Chowk
- Laxmi Road — Sant Kabir Chowk to Alka Chowk
- Kelkar Road — Futka Buruj to Alka Chowk
- Bajirao Road — Puram Chowk to Gadgil Statue
- Shivaji Road — Gadgil Statue to Jedhe Chowk
- Karve Road — Nal Stop to Khandoji Baba Chowk
- Fergusson College Road — Khandoji Baba Chowk to Veer Chapekar Chowk
- Jangli Maharaj Road — S.G. Barve Chowk to Khandoji Baba Chowk
- Sinhagad Road — Rajaram Bridge to Savarkar Chowk
- Ganesh Road / Mudliar Road — Daruwala Bridge & Jijamata Chowk corridor toward Futka Buruj
Practical advice for visitors: do not drive into Budhwar Peth / Laxmi Road on peak evenings. Park outside the core (Deccan, Shivajinagar periphery, metro park-and-ride) and walk or take the metro in. More etiquette and first-evening tips: first-time visit guide.
Sources
- MahaMetro / local press coverage of 2026 festival hours (e.g. Free Press Journal, Times of India, Punekar News).
- Mandai one-way gates and alighting advisory summarised in Bridge Chronicle and Pune Pulse. Day-1 ridership (14 Sep ~2.63 lakh; Mandai ~51,500) via Punekar News 15 Sep.
- Pune Traffic Police heavy-vehicle order summarised in Free Press Journal and Punekar News.
We do not invent clocks. If an official notice conflicts with this page, trust the official notice.
Metro & Traffic FAQ
Common questions about getting to Mandai and the old city.
Which metro station for Mandai / Dagdusheth / Kasba?
For Mandai (Mahatma Phule Mandai) and Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati, use the Mandai station on Line 1. For Kasba Ganpati (Manacha 1), Kasba Peth station is closer. During peak crowds, Metro staff may suggest exiting at PMC or Deccan and walking in to avoid the Mandai crush.
Can I drive into Budhwar Peth during Ganeshotsav?
You can, but it is not advisable on peak evenings. Traffic crawls, parking is scarce, and heavy vehicles are banned on 12 central stretches. Park at Deccan, Shivajinagar periphery, or a metro park-and-ride lot and take the metro or walk in.
What were Pune Metro hours during Ganeshotsav 2026?
From 14–16 Sep, trains ran 6 AM to 11 PM. From 17–24 Sep, extended night service ran until 2 AM. On Anant Chaturdashi, Metro ran continuous service (41 hours) from 6 AM on 25 Sep through 11 PM on 26 Sep. Regular hours resume from 27 Sep.
Which roads have heavy-vehicle restrictions during Ganeshotsav?
Pune Traffic Police ban heavy and oversized vehicles 24/7 on 12 central stretches from 12–26 September 2026, including Laxmi Road, Tilak Road, Bajirao Road, Karve Road, and others. Ambulances, fire, and police are exempt. Check the full list on this page.