Lonavala tourist spots still closed, more restrictions on the cards

Pune, August 14, 2020: All tourist points in Lonavala – Bhushi dam, Tiger point, Lion’s point, Andharban trek – are closed by the district administration as part of the preventive measures against the Coronavirus disease (COVID19) pandemic. The COVID19 cases are on the rise in Lonavala since the restriction on travel within the district was lifted.

As no e-pass is required for intra-district travel, people from Pune are travelling to the hill station but they are being stopped from visiting the tourist spots. On the other hand, people from Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai and other areas need e-pass for entering Lonavala. They are being stopped at the checkpoint by Pune rural police and asked to return without entering Lonavala. E-pass is mandatory for inter-district travel.

Police officials said that if people insist on entering Lonavala without e-pass, then FIR is registered against them for an offence under section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). During weekends over a thousand vehicles try to enter Lonavala, but they are stopped.

According to police, since June 1 about 1650 cases have been registered for violation of lockdown rules in Lonavala city, Lonavala rural, Kamshet and Vadgaon. Also, about 500 cases are related to tourists coming into the hill station and 50 cases with respect to e-pass violation.

As per Maharashtra government’s unlock rules, hotels are allowed to open with 33 percent occupancy but there are no guests as tourist spots are closed, hoteliers said. Lonavala has a population of about 60,000 and most of them are dependent on tourism for their livelihood.

The Pune District Collector has banned entry to tourist spots near dams and other crowded places to prevent the spread of COVID19. About 30 tourist spots in Pune district are shut for people this monsoon season.