Pune: After Violence at Sinhagad Fort, Forest Dept Plans Tourist Cap, Booking System
Pune, 19th August 2026: Following a violent clash between two groups at Sinhagad Fort on Independence Day, the Forest Department has decided to regulate the number of tourists allowed to enter the fort to prevent overcrowding.
The decision comes after a massive crowd gathered at the fort on August 15, with some tourists allegedly misbehaving with women. The situation escalated into stone-pelting and incidents of clothes being torn during a clash between two groups.
Manoj Barbole, forest range officer, said tourists would now be allowed to enter the fort in a controlled manner from the entry point itself, particularly on public holidays and weekends when footfall is high.
“When too many tourists enter the fort, it becomes difficult to manage the arrangements. Tourists should cooperate with the authorities and avoid unruly behaviour,” Barbole said. He added that CCTV cameras were also being repaired and upgraded. However, monitoring remains challenging as several trails lead to the fort and tourists often use these routes to bypass the main entrance.
The Forest Department is also developing an app through which tourists will have to book their visit before entering Sinhagad. The department plans to assess the fort’s carrying capacity, including parking and visitor capacity, and allow only the number of tourists that can be accommodated safely.
AI-enabled cameras are also proposed to monitor the fort and help regulate visitor movement.
Tanaji Bhosale of the Haveli Disaster Management and Rescue Team has called for a dedicated Forest Department office at Sinhagad to oversee forest and wildlife protection, prevent tree cutting and encroachments, manage tourists and conduct round-the-clock patrols through staff working in shifts.
The new measures are aimed at preventing overcrowding and ensuring safer management of the popular historic fort, which sees particularly heavy footfall on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
