Pune: Sinhagad Fort Temporarily Closed for Anti-Encroachment Drive
Pune, 30th May 2025: The iconic Sinhagad Fort, a popular trekking and tourist destination near Pune, will remain closed to visitors for the next three days—from May 31 to June 2—due to an ongoing anti-encroachment operation, forest officials confirmed on Friday.
The closure applies to all access points, including trekking routes, as authorities carry out demolition work to remove illegal constructions atop the historic fort.
“The anti-encroachment drive is currently underway and still in progress. Therefore, for safety and administrative reasons, the fort will be completely closed to the public from May 31 to June 2,” said Tushar Chavan, Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), Pune Forest Division.
The operation, aimed at restoring the fort to its natural and historical state, involves the demolition of unauthorized permanent structures. However, progress has been slower than expected due to logistical challenges.
“Since heavy machinery like JCBs and vehicles cannot access the top of the fort, we are having to remove permanent RCC structures manually. This is a time-consuming process, but the team is working diligently,” Chavan added.
Officials said that while some illegal constructions have already been removed, the remaining work will continue over the weekend under tight monitoring. Forest department teams are coordinating with other administrative agencies to ensure the operation is completed without disruption or safety issues.
The administration has appealed to citizens and trekkers to avoid visiting the fort during this period and cooperate with authorities.
“We request all citizens and tourists to bear with us and cooperate. The goal is to protect and preserve Sinhagad’s heritage and ecology,” said Chavan.
Sinhagad Fort, located around 30 km from Pune city, is not just a historical monument but also a treasured ecological site that attracts thousands of visitors every month. The latest action is part of a broader initiative to curb encroachments on protected heritage and forest land across the region.
