4,000 Mandals, 7.4 Lakh Private Celebrations, 6,000 Cops Deployed – Pune Prepared for Grand Ganeshotsav
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 25th August 2025: With just two days left for Pune’s most iconic festival, Shri Ganeshotsav, the city police have unveiled a comprehensive blueprint to ensure safety, order, and smooth celebrations. This year’s festival, officially declared a Rajya Mahotsav (State Festival) by the Maharashtra government, will be celebrated from August 27 to September 6, culminating with the grand visarjan procession on September 6–7.
According to Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, the preparations are unprecedented in scale. “Pune’s Ganeshotsav is not just a festival, it’s a confluence of faith, art, and collective energy. With nearly 4,000 public mandals and over 7.4 lakh private Ganesh celebrations, the footfall will be massive. Our goal is to ensure that the festivities remain safe, peaceful, and memorable for all devotees,” he told mediapersons at the Police Commissioner’s office in Camp. All senior police officers were present.
High-Tech Policing: From Drones to AI Surveillance
This year, the police are deploying advanced technologies such as AI-powered video analytics, drone surveillance, GPS trackers, anti-drone guns, and mobile surveillance vehicles. Public Address (PA) systems will be linked with control rooms, ensuring real-time crowd management.
“We are leveraging technology like never before. Every sensitive area, from procession routes to busy chowks, will be under round-the-clock surveillance,” Kumar emphasized.
Massive Manpower Deployment
A staggering 6,000+ police personnel, 1,100 home guards, Quick Response Teams, Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads, and an SRPF company will be on duty. Special squads have been formed to curb chain-snatching, mobile thefts, vehicle thefts, and crimes against women and children.
Noise and Liquor Ban Orders
District Collector Jitendra Dudi has permitted the use of loudspeakers only between August 30 and September 4, and on Anant Chaturdashi (September 6–7), till midnight. At the same time, the administration has ordered a ban on the sale of liquor across Pune district during the festival period.
Traffic and Metro Coordination
With Pune Metro now extending to Swargate, officials estimate 5–7 lakh daily commuters during the festival. Additional manpower and disaster management drills have been planned in coordination with Metro authorities.
Traffic diversions will be enforced in core areas including Shivaji Road, Tilak Road, Bajirao Road, Laxmi Road, and Mandai, with watch towers set up at 20 locations. Police aid centers will operate near major mandals.
Civic Preparedness and Cultural Touch
Police have conducted 82 review meetings, 60 peace committee meetings, and 24 women’s vigilance committee meetings in the run-up to the festival.
The force will also add a cultural element: electric lighting at key chowks, performances by the police band, and a dog show by trained police dogs.
Commissioner Kumar concluded: “Our message to citizens is simple—celebrate with devotion and pride, but also with responsibility. The police, PMC, and all agencies are working together to make Ganeshotsav 2025 both grand and safe.”
