Pune: Rockfall at Sinhagad Fort; Travel advisory issued amid safety concerns
PUNE, June 30, 2023: A significant rockfall occurred near Pune Darwaja at the historic Sinhagad Fort on Tuesday night, following hours of persistent rainfall. Although no injuries were reported, the incident has raised safety concerns.
The rockfall was reported along the path leading to the fort’s main entrance, where local vendors typically sell buttermilk and other items. Former deputy sarpanch of Sinhagad Chera, Amol Padher, revealed that some vendors’ utensils were damaged during the event.
Padher noted that the fort has been under a steady deluge since Tuesday. “A small portion of boulders also collapsed on the road leading to the fort, but did not affect traffic movement,” he added.
In response to the incident, Pune’s range forest officer, Pradip Sankpal, stated that a team of workers has been deployed to clear the debris. “While it’s not a major collapse, we will maintain vigilance and take due precautions,” Sankpal assured. Despite the recent rockfall, the fort remains open to the public.
Sankpal highlighted that the forest department had paid Rs 1 crore to the state public works department (PWD) for the installation of a safety mesh over loose boulders. “Unfortunately, the work was not completed before the onset of the monsoon,” he said, urging visitors to exercise caution around loose sections and cliff edges.
With Sinhagad Fort becoming increasingly popular among tourists, the forest department plans to increase security measures. “The continuous erosion due to increased vehicular movement has adversely affected the stability of loose boulders on the approach road and parking areas,” a senior official stated.
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Atul Chavan, superintendent of PWD, Pune division, confirmed that safety meshes had been installed at six locations in the ghat section of the fort. However, due to disintegrated rocks and loose soil on a 3km stretch leading to the fort, further safety measures have been delayed.
Deputy engineer of PWD, Haveli, Nakul Ransingh, said, “We are awaiting permission from the forest department to carry out benching work on the precarious stretch. Decisions will be made once our executive engineer has inspected the site.”
Travelers are advised to stay alert and follow official advisories while visiting the fort, especially during monsoon conditions.
