Pune Ganpati Visarjan 2026: 10,000 Police, 3,500 CCTV Cameras and AI Surveillance
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 23rd September 2026: Pune Police will deploy around 10,000 personnel and an extensive technology-driven surveillance network for Ganeshotsav 2026, with round-the-clock monitoring of the city’s traditional Ganesh immersion processions and other sensitive locations, Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar said on Wednesday.
The security arrangements will be monitored 24 hours a day through the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) and a dedicated war room. More than 3,500 CCTV cameras will be monitored in real time from the Faraskhana Police Station.
The main Ganesh immersion procession will begin on September 25 from near the statue of Lokmanya Tilak at Mahatma Phule Mandai. Police teams will be deployed along major procession routes, including Laxmi Road, Tilak Road, Kelkar Road and Kumthekar Road.
AI surveillance, facial recognition and drones
Pune Police will use AI-based video analytics to detect crowd build-up, suspicious movements, weapons and unattended objects. Facial recognition technology will also be used to help identify criminals and trace missing persons.
CCTV feeds from Metro stations, PMC Smart City infrastructure and Ganesh mandals will be integrated into the monitoring network.
Police will deploy five mobile surveillance vehicles and 19 mini surveillance vehicles during the festival. Drones will be used for aerial surveillance of crowds, processions and sensitive locations. Anti-drone guns will be deployed around sensitive locations to prevent unauthorised drone activity.
ANPR to track traffic violations
The Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system will be used to identify traffic violations, including wrong-side driving, triple-seat riding, illegal parking and overspeeding.
Vehicles used by Ganesh mandals will be fitted with GPS tracking and alert systems, allowing police to monitor their movement during the festival.
Police will also monitor social media platforms for suspicious activity and potential security threats.
Emergency response and communication
More than 250 locations will have IP-based public address systems for announcements and crowd management.
For communication and coordination, police personnel will be connected through 100 wireless sets and 400 walkie-talkies. Wi-Fi connectivity will also be provided at important locations for police personnel and other officials deployed for security duties.
Security checks will be strengthened with 30 Door Frame Metal Detectors (DFMDs) and 100 Hand-Held Metal Detectors (HHMDs) at important locations.
Emergency calls received through Dial-112 will be monitored around the clock.
120 noise meters for Ganeshotsav
Pune Police will deploy around 120 noise-level meters to monitor sound levels during Ganeshotsav. A permanent noise monitoring station will also be operational at Alka Chowk.
The police have warned Ganesh mandals against using high-powered sound systems or exceeding prescribed noise limits. Direct legal action will be taken against violations.
Ganesh mandals participating in the immersion procession will be permitted to use up to four top speakers and four bass speakers. The entire sound system may be seized if a mandal is found exceeding the permitted limit.
Restrictions on plasma speakers and mid-pressure speakers will remain in force. Police will also enforce the ban on the use of the ‘tol’ instrument by dhol-tasha groups.
Dhol-tasha groups will not face any limit on the number of performers, but their combined sound level must remain within the prescribed decibel limit.
Laser lights prohibited
Joint Commissioner of Police Sanjay Darade has directed Ganesh mandals not to use high-intensity laser lights during the immersion procession.
Police said laser beams could pose a safety risk to citizens and motorists and asked mandals to comply with the Supreme Court’s directions and police regulations.
Emergency corridor for ambulances and fire engines
Special traffic arrangements have been made to manage the large crowds during the immersion procession. A dedicated route will be maintained to ensure that ambulances, fire engines and police vehicles can reach emergency locations without delay.
Observation towers will be erected at key junctions, while police assistance centres will operate at Belbag Chowk, Lokmanya Tilak Chowk near Alka Talkies, Khanduji Baba Chowk, Deshbhakt Keshavrao Jedhe Chowk and S.P. College Chowk.
Plainclothes police teams will be deployed at crowded locations to prevent theft, harassment and other offences. Home Guards and State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) personnel will also form part of the security deployment.
Preventive action has been taken against habitual offenders ahead of the immersion ceremony.
“The security arrangements combine technology, manpower and coordinated emergency response to ensure that Ganeshotsav and the immersion procession are conducted safely. Citizens, Ganesh mandal workers and volunteers should cooperate with the police and follow the rules,” Kumar said.
