Lonavala: Heavy Tourist Rush at Bhaje Waterfall Triggers Traffic Chaos, Locals Demand Immediate Action
Lonavala, 3rd August 2026: Continuous monsoon showers have transformed the scenic landscapes of Maval taluka, drawing thousands of tourists to popular destinations such as Malavli, Bhaje, and Karla over the weekend. Among the major attractions, Bhaje Waterfall witnessed a massive influx of visitors, with tourists enjoying the rains, taking selfies, photography, and spending hours under the cascading waters.
The weekend rush, however, resulted in severe traffic congestion on the Malavli–Bhaje Road, causing inconvenience to both visitors and local residents. Long queues of vehicles were reported throughout the day as narrow roads, deteriorated road conditions, and haphazard roadside parking significantly slowed traffic movement.
Many tourists reportedly remained stranded in traffic for hours, while residents faced difficulties carrying out their daily activities due to the persistent congestion.
Local citizens have urged the administration to undertake immediate repairs of the damaged road, which has developed several large potholes following continuous rainfall. Motorists have expressed concerns over the poor condition of the road, warning that it has increased the risk of accidents.
Residents have also called for better traffic management during weekends, adequate parking facilities, increased police deployment, and urgent road repairs to handle the growing number of visitors during the monsoon season.
With Maval’s waterfalls and scenic spots continuing to attract large crowds, citizens have appealed to the authorities to implement comprehensive measures that ensure a safe and hassle-free experience for tourists while minimizing inconvenience to the local population.
