No Waterfalls, No Selfies: Pune Collector Invokes Section 163 in Lonavala Till July 31
Lonavala Monsoon Curbs: Pune Collector Invokes BNSS Section 163 as Heavy Rain Disrupts Life
Pune, July 6: Continuous heavy rainfall over the past two days has disrupted normal life across Pune and Mumbai, severely affecting road and rail transport. The situation has become particularly critical in Lonavala and the adjoining Maval taluka due to intense monsoon activity.
To ensure public safety, Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi has imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, within the limits of the Lonavala Police Station. The restrictions came into effect from midnight on July 6 and will remain in force until 6 a.m. on July 31.
The Collector clarified that the order is not a ban on tourism, but a set of safety measures aimed at preventing accidents during the monsoon season.
Under the order, visitors are prohibited from entering waterfalls, rivers, streams and dams. Tourists are also barred from taking selfies, filming videos or making reels at dangerous cliffs and other high-risk locations. Popular destinations such as Ekvira Devi Temple, Bhushi Dam, Lion’s Point, Tiger Point, Pawna Dam, Lohagad Fort, Visapur Fort, Tikona Fort and Tung Fort are expected to witness strict enforcement of these rules.
The administration has also banned alcohol consumption, littering and creating noise pollution at tourist spots. Authorities warned that strict action will be taken against those violating the safety guidelines.
The Collector further stated that harassment of women, reckless driving and other unlawful activities will invite legal action. Four-wheelers and six-wheelers have also been prohibited from entering areas near dams and riverbanks.
Meanwhile, the heavy rainfall has badly affected railway services on the Mumbai-Pune route. A major landslide between Monkey Hill and Khandala stations in the Lonavala-Karjat ghat section sent large boulders, rocks and mud onto the railway tracks, disrupting train services as restoration work continues.
