Planning a Sinhagad Fort Trek This Weekend? Key Tips for Pune Trekkers Â
Pune: Truck Plunges Into Gorge At Sinhagad Ghat; Driver Escapes Unhurt, Illegal Heavy Vehicle Traffic Under Scrutiny Again
Pune: Planning a weekend trek to Sinhagad Fort? You might want to hold off. The historic fort, a popular monsoon destination for Punekars and tourists, has been temporarily closed to the public until June 2 due to an ongoing anti-encroachment drive initiated by the Maharashtra Forest Department.
The action began on May 29 and involves multiple government departments working together to remove unauthorised structures at the fort. Teams from the Pune District Collector’s Office, Pune Rural Police, Revenue Department, Archaeology Department, Panchayat Samiti, and the Public Works Department are jointly executing the operation.
The crackdown follows a government resolution issued on January 20, 2025, which mandates the removal of all encroachments from forts across the state of Maharashtra.
Prior to the drive, the authorities had served notices to individuals and entities responsible for the illegal constructions, instructing them to vacate and clear the premises. However, officials on the ground are facing challenges as manual demolition work is required—use of heavy machinery is not feasible due to the fort’s heritage structure and rugged terrain.
The temporary closure aims to ensure public safety during the operation. Authorities have urged trekkers and visitors to cooperate and avoid visiting Sinhagad Fort until the work is completed.
