Pune Municipal Corporation's (PMC) ambitious ‘Signature Walk’ initiative, aimed at showcasing Pune’s historical forts and landmarks, has failed to take off even after 18 months of planning. The primary roadblock? Lack of bus services.
The initiative, introduced in September 2023 under the leadership of then Additional Commissioner Vikas Dhakne, was planned as an extension of PMC’s Heritage Walk program. It was designed to take visitors to Sinhagad Fort, Shivsrushti in Ambegaon, and ISKCON Temple, offering guided tours to highlight the historical and cultural significance of these sites.
Trial Conducted, but Project Fails to Launch
On September 22, 2023, a trial run of the Signature Walk was successfully conducted, creating anticipation for its official launch. However, the initiative has been stalled since then due to PMC’s failure to secure dedicated air-conditioned mini-buses from PMPML (Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd).
Despite the initial momentum, the project faced multiple hurdles:
Request to PMPML for AC mini-buses on Swargate-Sinhagad route was unsuccessful.
Discussions with the Forest and Tourism Departments for developing tourist-friendly infrastructure at these sites were initiated but did not progress.
Special hotel-to-site transport for foreign tourists was planned but was never implemented.
A dedicated website for the initiative was supposed to be developed but remains incomplete.
The Heritage Cell of PMC lost focus on the project after the transfer of key official Vikas Dhakne.
PMPML buses to Sinhagad faced operational issues due to narrow roads, further affecting transport availability.
PMC Heritage Cell Deputy Engineer Sunil Mohite stated, “The Signature Walk was designed to introduce tourists to Sinhagad Fort and Shivsrushti. We initially pursued PMPML for bus services, but due to various reasons, they could not provide them. We will reinitiate discussions with PMPML to resolve the issue.”
Tourist Abhay Puri added, “Visitors to places like Sinhagad, Shivsrushti, and other historical sites face transport difficulties due to the lack of dedicated heritage tour services. If improved facilities are introduced, it will significantly help in spreading awareness of Pune’s forts and history among tourists from other states.”
