Pune: About 10,000 People Visit Sinhagad Fort On Sunday, Demand Better Traffic Management

Sinhagad Fort, 27th November 2023: On this past Sunday, Sinhagad Fort witnessed an overwhelming surge of approximately ten thousand tourists, marking a significant increase from the previous week when visitors abstained from the site due to the Cricket World Cup final match. However, the sudden influx led to traffic congestion and raised concerns about the management of the popular tourist destination.

Last Sunday, during the ICC ODI Cricket World Cup final, only 5953 tourists visited the fort. In contrast, this Sunday, a staggering 9147 tourists flocked to Sinhagad, creating congestion on the Ghat road. The Indian Meteorological Department’s prediction of rain seemed to have little effect on deterring visitors, as the pleasant weather attracted thousands of Pune residents.

The traffic situation became particularly challenging, with both parking lots on the fort reaching full capacity by 9 am. Vehicles queued up for approximately two to two and a half kilometres on the Ghat road, causing disruptions throughout the day.

Efforts were made by Forester Samadhan Patil, forest guard Baliram Waikar, and the Forest Management Committee staff to manage the traffic. Despite their efforts, a brief traffic jam occurred when a defence department bus navigated the narrow road, leading to a temporary closure of Ghat Road at Kondanpur around 10:30 am.

To alleviate the congestion, a systematic approach was implemented, with vehicles being allowed in phases. Tourists’ vehicles were temporarily halted at the ghat every hour and then released to the fort in proportion to the descending traffic from the parking lot.

The popular attractions within the fort, including the Tanaji Malusare Samadhi Sthal Memorial, Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj Samadhi Sthal, Amriteshwar Temple, Kalyan Darwaza, and Dronagiri Kada, were thronged by visitors throughout the day.

However, the incident has prompted concerns regarding the coordination between the Forest Department and the Forest Management Committee, unresolved issues related to traffic management, and inadequate facilities and planning for tourists. Key issues include the lack of harmony, the absence of white stripes on the parking lot, neglected two-wheeler parking conditions, and the absence of necessary information boards for tourists.