Pune: Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has directed the administration to take stringent action in the wake of safety issues of tourists in Lonavala. Five members of the Ansari Family from Hadapsar were swept away at a waterfall in Lonavala on Sunday.
Visitors will not be allowed to visit tourist spots in and around Lonavala after 6 pm. Tourists neglecting the order and officials not implementing it strictly will face action, said District Collector Dr Suhas Diwase. He made it clear that special guidelines will be issued shortly for tourists.
Diwase said, “Stringent action will be taken against hooligans at the hill station. Those who trouble visitors will be dealt with strictly. Youths arrive in hordes at weekends and on public holidays here. Complaints have been received that they cause noise pollution at night. In this background, the 6-pm ban has been clamped. Officials delaying action will themselves face action. This has been instructed by the Chief Minister.”
Special guidelines for the hill station
Special guidelines will be issued for tourists in Lonavala. Crowds swell during the rainy season in Lonavala and Khandala to enjoy nature’s beauty. However, they must follow the instructions issued by the police and the local administration, failing which the police will take action. Safety measures have been taken in view of accidents, drowning at waterfalls, lakes due to overenthusiasm and a rush for taking selfies.
District Collector’s strict warning
An appeal has been made to youths to not enter waters of lakes, waterfalls in Lonavala, Mulshi, Maval and Pavana. Visitors enter water but fail to anticipate its depth and meet with accidents.
