Pune: Encroachment removal underway at Sinhagad Fort; No entry for visitors till June 1
Pune, May 30, 2025: In a major operation aimed at protecting heritage sites, authorities have cleared all encroachments from Sinhagad Fort as per a directive issued by the Maharashtra Government dated January 20, 2025. The action is part of a state-wide initiative to make all forts encroachment-free by May 31, 2025.
Encroachments on forest department land and unauthorized structures within the jurisdiction of the Archaeology Department at Sinhagad Fort were identified and marked for removal. Under the leadership of the District Collector, Pune, multiple coordination meetings were held with officials from the Forest Department, Revenue Department, Archaeology Department, Police, Panchayat Samiti Haveli, Public Works Department, and other agencies.
Encroachers were issued notices by the Forest Department and given adequate time to vacate voluntarily. Similarly, the Archaeology Department served notices to individuals responsible for constructing buildings without permission in protected areas. With no valid documents submitted, these structures were confirmed as illegal.
A joint eviction drive was carried out on May 29 and 30, 2025, removing all unauthorized structures from both the Forest and Archaeology Department’s areas. The action was taken under the guidance of senior officials including the District Collector, Chief Conservator of Forests (Regional), Deputy Conservator of Forests, and Superintendent of Police, Pune.
Due to the ongoing operation, the fort will remain closed to tourists on June 1, 2025, for safety and administrative purposes.
Key officials involved in the drive included the Sub-Divisional Officer and Tehsildar from Haveli, Assistant Conservator of Forests and Range Forest Officer from Bhamburda, Director and Deputy Director of the Archaeology Department, along with police officials and departmental staff. The coordinated effort led to the successful removal of all encroachments, reaffirming the government’s commitment to preserving historical sites.
