Pune: Lonavala Villagers Protest Against Ropeway, Demand Basic Facilities First

Lonavala, 1st September 2026: Residents of Vehergaon and Dahivali staged a protest in Lonavala on Tuesday to draw the administration’s attention to pending basic infrastructure issues and various demands concerning the Shri Kshetra Ekvira Devi temple area.

The villagers marched from the foothills of the Ekvira Devi temple towards the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and staged a road blockade for some time, affecting traffic movement on the highway.

The protesters took a firm stand that basic facilities should be provided before any ropeway project is considered, with the slogan, “First provide basic facilities, then think about the ropeway.”

The villagers also strongly opposed the proposed ropeway project at the Ekvira Devi temple and demanded that essential facilities in the area be strengthened before any such project is taken forward.

Their demands include improvements in water supply, drinking water facilities, toilets, traffic management, parking and security around the temple.

Villagers fear impact on local livelihoods
The protesters expressed concern that if devotees and tourists are transported directly to the temple through the proposed ropeway, it could affect the livelihoods of local shopkeepers, businesses and other people dependent on visitors to the temple.

“We are not opposed to development, but we do not want development that affects the rights and livelihoods of local residents,” the villagers said.

The protesters also demanded that the ropeway project be cancelled permanently.

They further sought a permanent solution to the problems of unauthorised traffic and haphazard parking in the temple area. The villagers demanded that the parking space on Forest Department land be transferred to the gram panchayats and properly planned and managed.

Large police deployment
A large number of villagers, including women, young people and senior citizens, participated in the protest.

In view of the agitation, a substantial police deployment was made by the Lonavala City Police and Lonavala Rural Police.

Administration assures meeting on September 3
During the road blockade, Tehsildar Vikram Deshmukh and other officials visited the protest site and held discussions with the villagers.

The administration assured the protesters that a meeting involving representatives of all concerned departments would be held on September 3 to discuss the pending issues and that positive decisions would be considered.

Following the assurance, the villagers called off the protest.