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During October, as Nagpur celebrated Diwali, the city's Metro network became a top choice for shoppers heading to busy market areas. The Sitabuldi Metro Station recorded nearly 1.5 lakh passengers between 4 pm and 10 pm throughout the month, while Chitar Oli Square Station saw over 40,000 commuters in the
same time frame.
Highest Ridership Report by Maha Metro
According to data shared by Maha Metro, ridership was highest during the evening rush hours as residents travelled to Sitabuldi for Diwali shopping. Sitabuldi, which connects the Orange and Aqua lines, was busiest between 6 pm and 9 pm, when about 85,000 passengers used the station. Even after 9 pm, over 25,000 people continued to travel, showing that shopping went on late into the night. Nearby Chitar Oli Metro Station, which provides access to areas like Mahal and Itwari, also reported strong evening crowds. With over 40,000 passengers during October evenings, it became a secondary hub for people visiting traditional markets rather than malls.
Across the entire Metro network, 23.72 lakh passengers travelled between October 1 and 29. The highest single-day ridership was on October 2, when more than 1.5 lakh commuters used the Metro. This coincided with Dusshera, Dhammachakra Din, and the beginning of festive shopping.
Reason Behind Increased Ridership
A Maha Metro official explained that the ridership increase was directly linked to Diwali shopping. Due to parking shortages and heavy traffic, many people preferred the Metro for its speed and convenience. The festive rush also showed how the Metro has become a popular choice not just for daily commuting but also for leisure and festive travel.
Even though Diwali is over, officials expect the ridership to remain high because of the wedding season and the reopening of schools and colleges.
