Pune’s Ganesh immersion procession extended to 33.5 hours this year, creating prolonged traffic restrictions, crowding and noise-related inconvenience across the city’s central areas, according to a report by Loksatta – Pune.
The procession, widely known for its scale, continued for more than a day and a half. Major roads in central Pune remained closed through the second full day of Anant Chaturdashi, affecting daily travel and access for residents. Roads and lanes in the central areas and around Deccan Gymkhana remained closed until late evening on Saturday, causing further inconvenience.
The extended duration also exposed difficulties in managing the movement of participating Ganesh mandals. Police had deployed a special team to push the procession forward, but the effort did not significantly increase its pace. The report said that after loudspeakers were switched off at midnight, large gaps developed between some mandals, slowing the procession further.
Sound levels remained another concern. Although loudspeakers were turned off at midnight, drum and traditional percussion groups continued performing. Loudspeaker systems installed at police and Pune Municipal Corporation reception and information counters at Tilak Chowk also continued after midnight, according to the report. The procession’s sound levels therefore remained above permitted limits for a considerable period.
Some Ganesh mandals joined the procession midway this year, which reportedly delayed the participation of the Akhil Mandai Mandal and several other groups. The staggered participation added to the logistical challenge of maintaining a continuous procession and preventing gaps along the route.
Loudspeakers were switched on again after 6 am on Saturday, leading to a fresh rise in the crowd on the roads. The effects were felt beyond the main procession route, with congestion and access restrictions continuing in central Pune and the Deccan Gymkhana area. Residents faced extended travel delays as traffic diversions and road closures remained in place.
The report highlights the administrative challenge of managing a large public procession through dense, established neighbourhoods. The duration of the event, the coordination of mandals, the timing of sound restrictions and the reopening of roads all directly affected the city’s movement system. The police and municipal authorities had established facilities at Tilak Chowk to issue instructions to participating mandals, but the reported delays show that coordination did not prevent prolonged disruption. The procession’s final duration and the continuing restrictions were reported by Loksatta – Pune.
