Pune: Forest Department To Introduce Online Payment For Nuisance Charges At Sinhagad Fort

Sinhagad, 19th August 2023: The forest department has reconsidered its stance on accepting ‘nuisance fees’ only in cash at Sinhagad fort and has decided to introduce a UPI payment facility for tourists from the upcoming week. The decision comes after the media highlighted the inconvenience faced by visitors due to the lack of an online payment option.

Forest department officials have assured that a dual system for collecting nuisance charges, both online and offline, will be implemented to ensure the convenience of all tourists.

Presently, tourists heading to Sinhagad are charged Rs 50 for two-wheelers and Rs 100 for four-wheelers by the forest department. Checkpoints at Golewadi and Kondhanpur Phata manage the collection of these fees. However, cash-only transactions had been mandated, leading to complications for tourists lacking cash. When inquiring about the possibility of online payment, tourists were informed that cash was the only acceptable mode of payment. Furthermore, some employees near Kondhanpur Phata even directed tourists to travel four kilometers to access ATMs for cash withdrawal.

Commencing from the upcoming week, tourists will have the option to pay the nuisance fee both online and offline.

The influx of thousands of tourists to Sinhagad each day has resulted in a substantial accumulation of nuisance fees, with an average monthly collection of 10 to 15 lakh rupees. In light of allegations concerning financial irregularities, officials advocate for a direct deposit of every tourist’s fee into the forest committee’s account to eliminate any potential for accusations.

To ensure accurate fee collection, a revised verification process will be implemented at the Kondhanpur Phata on the Ghat road. Tourists who claim to be heading to Kondhanpur or Khedshivapur but are ultimately bound for Sinhagad will now have their payment receipts cross-checked, thereby preventing unauthorized entries.

An application has been submitted to the bank to facilitate online payment for nuisance fees. The anticipated process completion ensures that tourists can avail of the online payment option from the coming week onwards. Acknowledging the immediate necessity to alleviate inconveniences, a dual system combining online and offline payment methods will be in place temporarily. In the near future, the entire nuisance fee payment process is expected to transition to online channels, informed Pradeep Sankpal, Bhamburda Forest Range Officer, Forest Department Pune.