Sinhagad Fort entry to be regulated based on carrying capacity amid heavy tourist crowds

Entry to Sinhagad Fort will be regulated based on its safe carrying capacity to effectively manage tourist crowds prevent traffic congestion and ensure visitor safety the Pune Forest Department has announcedHeavy tourist influx during monsoonSinhagad an important historical cultural and natural heritage site attracts large numbers of visitors particularly during the monsoon weekends and government holidays Tourists travel to the fort from Pune as well as from other parts of the state and beyondThe heavy influx often results in severe congestion in and around the fort causing delays and inconvenience to visitors travelling to and from the siteThe Forest Department said a few untoward incidents had also occurred in the Sinhagad area in recent days following which cases were registered under the relevant laws To prevent the recurrence of such incidents and maintain law and order at the fort necessary measures are being implemented The number of security personnel will also be increased at points that regularly witness heavy crowdsCCTV and AIbased monitoring system plannedAs part of a longterm solution work is underway to develop a CCTVbased surveillance and AIenabled digital monitoring system to facilitate more effective regulation of the number of visitors vehicles and crowd movement at SinhagadA mobile application is also being developed to provide visitors with information on parking facilities important locations on the fort and other visitorrelated facilities The app is expected to eventually provide realtime information on crowd conditions and entry availability before visitors begin their journey The development process is currently in its final stageEntry to be regulated based on carrying capacityThe Forest Department said the forts scientific carrying capacity will be determined Once the permanent system is fully developed and operational visitors will be permitted to enter the fort only after completing the required registration based on the available capacityUntil the permanent system becomes operational entry will be regulated according to the predetermined number of tourists who can be safely accommodated at the fort at any given time Once the permitted capacity is reached further visitors will be temporarily denied entryVisitors have been urged to cooperate with Forest Department personnel and police officials during such restrictions The department has warned that legal action will be initiated against individuals who refuse to cooperate or obstruct the implementation of crowdcontrol measuresThe entry restrictions are intended to ensure tourist safety prevent traffic congestion facilitate effective crowd management maintain law and order and preserve the historical and cultural sanctity of Sinhagad FortVisitors advised to follow safety guidelinesThe Forest Department has also appealed to visitors to strictly follow instructions issued by the administration and the Forest Department Tourists have been advised not to litter damage historical structures venture into dangerous areas enter the fort after consuming alcohol or play loud music or use loudspeakers in a manner that causes inconvenience to othersVisitors have been asked to exercise additional caution during the monsoon when risks such as slippery roads mud landslides and falls are higher In the event of adverse weather conditions or restrictions imposed by the administration visitors must comply with instructions regarding entryldquoSinhagad is not merely a tourist destination but an integral part of our historical heritage Protecting the fort and ensuring the safety of visitors is a collective responsibility Citizens and tourists are therefore requested to extend their cooperation to the measures being implemented by the Forest Departmentrdquo said the Deputy Conservator of Forests Pune Forest Division