Pune: As the auspicious Ganeshotsav approaches, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) is gearing up to handle the surge of passengers traveling to the Konkan region.

In anticipation of the large crowds, MSRTC has arranged additional buses to accommodate the influx of devotees eager to celebrate the festival in their hometowns. This year, approximately 5,000 buses will be operating across the state, with 325 specifically allocated from Pune.

In an impressive show of demand, all 325 buses from Pune to various Konkan destinations have already been booked. To address potential last-minute rushes at bus stations, the MSRTC administration is prepared to deploy extra buses as needed.

From Wednesday, September 4th, buses will start running to key Konkan cities, including Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri. The maximum number of buses are scheduled for Thursday, September 5th, with a significant dispatch of 200 buses from Swargate Station alone.

The distribution of buses from the Pune division includes 250 buses from Swargate and 75 from Vallabhnagar Station, reflecting MSRTC's commitment to managing the festival rush efficiently.

Pramod Nehul, the Division Controller of MSRTC Pune, stated, “We have planned to release the maximum number of buses for passengers traveling to Konkan for Ganeshotsav. Buses from routes with lower demand will be redirected to Konkan to meet the high demand.”

MSRTC has also facilitated various booking options, including online reservations and group bookings directly at the depots, to ensure smooth travel for all passengers.

This proactive approach by the MSRTC aims to provide a seamless travel experience for thousands of devotees heading to the Konkan region to welcome Lord Ganesha.