Monsoon Tourism In Pune | Monsoon tourism: 15,000 people flock to Sinhagad Fort on Sunday
PUNE : Monsoon Tourism In Pune | On Sunday morning, thousands of Puneites rushed to Sinhagad Fort after coming to know that the fort has been enveloped by thick mist and 15,000 people visited their favourite monsoon gateway. A similar situation was seen at Khadakwasla, Panshet, Lonavla and Tamhini Ghat. Tourists made a beeline to visit forts, ghats and waterfall areas.
The Forest Department, Local Forest Management Committee and the Pune Rural Police had made adequate security arrangements in these areas. In some areas, the huge rush of tourists made the task difficult for local administration. Photographs of many lush green areas near Pune are being circulated on social media. Hence, Puneites left their homes early in the morning on Sunday.
Tourists visited the Sinhagad Fort in large numbers on Saturday to experience the thrill of visiting the fort enveloped by thick mist and enjoy onion bhaji and pithla bhakri. But the number of tourists reached its peak on Sunday. The number of tourists started increasing from 6 am and at 12 noon, the parking was full. There was a queue of cars extending up to four kilometres on the ghat road. Since it was not possible for cars to be taken on top of the fort, employees of the forest department and volunteers of the forest management committee told the tourists to park their vehicles on the roadside. A large number of tourists also climbed up the fort. After seeing the rush, some tourists turned back and proceeded towards Panshet.
There was a rush of tourists at chowpatty near the Khadakwasla dam and Panshet road till the evening. Many had gathered in large numbers to enjoy the waterfalls in Mulshi and Tamhini areas which are overflowing due to heavy rain which lashed the city last week. At some places, the flow of traffic was obstructed by haphazardly parked vehicles. Finally, locals helped in managing the traffic.
Balasaheb Jivde, a forest guard at Sinhagad, said, “The number of people visiting the Sinhagad Fort has increased. Hence, adequate arrangements were made to manage the crowds since Sunday morning. In the afternoon, tourists were informed at the toll post located near the base of the fort, about the crowds. Despite being told that some tourists were stuck on the ghat road, some enthusiastic tourists went to the fort. Some people preferred to turn back. Tourists cooperated with us after we made an appeal.”
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