Pune: The Maharashtra government has announced a meeting within 15 days to discuss the development and conservation of Sinhagad Fort, one of Pune’s most visited historical sites. This decision was confirmed by Minister of Cultural Affairs, Ashish Shelar, in response to concerns raised in the state legislative assembly.
Urgent Need for Restoration
Sinhagad Fort attracts thousands of visitors daily, but the deteriorating infrastructure, particularly the damaged stairways, has raised serious concerns. During the assembly session, MLA Bhimrao Tapkir from Khadakwasla questioned the government on the timeline for implementing a proper development plan and holding a joint meeting of the responsible departments.
Currently, the fort is under the shared jurisdiction of four government bodies:
Archaeology Department
Forest Department
Public Works Department (PWD)
District Collector’s Office
Minister Ashish Shelar confirmed that a meeting of all these departments will be conducted under the leadership of the Guardian Minister within the next 15 days, ensuring a coordinated effort for the fort’s restoration and development.
₹6 Crore Allocated for Conservation and Facilities
Alongside the announcement of the meeting, Minister Shelar also revealed that ₹6 crore had been sanctioned for restoration work at Sinhagad Fort.
The work order includes:
Conservation of the Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj Memorial Complex
Restoration of the Kalyan Gate
Construction and maintenance of public restrooms under a contract-based system
Some of these projects have already begun, while others will start soon, Shelar assured.