WATCH: Pune Police & Metro Conduct Armed Emergency Mock Drill At Mandai Ahead Of Ganeshotsav

On September 5, 2026, the Pune Police and Pune Metro carried out a mock drill at Mahatma Phule Mandai Metro Station in preparation for Ganeshotsav. The drill aimed to test their response to an emergency involving armed individuals, with a video of the exercise gaining traction on social media. The drill saw simulated armed men moving through the area, with security personnel responding swiftly.

The purpose of the drill was to evaluate the readiness of both police and metro authorities, as well as their ability to coordinate during a critical security situation. Officials have emphasized that the exercise was conducted without any indication of an actual threat, but rather as a precautionary measure ahead of the city's major festival season.

The Mandai location was chosen due to its central position in Pune and its proximity to areas experiencing heavy footfall during Ganeshotsav, when over 3,000 Ganesh mandals are expected to be present. With more than three million visitors anticipated during the festival, authorities have been focusing on crowd management, traffic regulation, and maintaining law and order.

The drill also considered major immersion routes like Laxmi Road and Tilak Road, which are expected to be crowded. Pune Police have been directing local police stations to collaborate with Ganesh mandals regarding security and crowd-management. In addition to safety concerns, authorities have been addressing traffic and noise management during the festival, implementing restrictions and arrangements for major roads and immersion routes to ensure smooth movement of people and processions.