📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Prime Minister's Office
Religion
Maharashtra to Deploy 2,900 State Transport Buses for Ganeshotsav 2026 Pilgrims
✍️ Mid-Day
🗓 07 Sep 2026, 03:19 AM
👁 5
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced that 2,900 state transport buses will be mobilised to ferry devotees to their hometowns during Ganeshotsav 2026.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde revealed that the Maharashtra State Transport (ST) will operate 2,900 buses to assist devotees traveling to their native towns for Ganeshotsav 2026. The decision aims to ease the massive seasonal movement of worshippers who flock to their family homes during the festival.
The buses are slated to run on a coordinated schedule covering major routes from urban centres such as Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Nashik to smaller towns across the state. Officials said the fleet will be deployed from the first week of August, aligning with the traditional start of the celebrations, and will continue until the festival concludes.
State transport authorities have arranged additional drivers and support staff to manage the increased demand, and they are monitoring ticket availability to prevent overcrowding. The move is expected to reduce private vehicle congestion on highways and provide a cost‑effective travel option for millions of pilgrims.
Shinde emphasized that the initiative reflects the government's commitment to supporting cultural traditions while ensuring public safety and smooth mobility during one of Maharashtra's most important religious events.
The buses are slated to run on a coordinated schedule covering major routes from urban centres such as Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Nashik to smaller towns across the state. Officials said the fleet will be deployed from the first week of August, aligning with the traditional start of the celebrations, and will continue until the festival concludes.
State transport authorities have arranged additional drivers and support staff to manage the increased demand, and they are monitoring ticket availability to prevent overcrowding. The move is expected to reduce private vehicle congestion on highways and provide a cost‑effective travel option for millions of pilgrims.
Shinde emphasized that the initiative reflects the government's commitment to supporting cultural traditions while ensuring public safety and smooth mobility during one of Maharashtra's most important religious events.