Lonavla: Tourists will have to be cautious while enjoying trips to Lonavla and Khandala during this rainy season. The police have warned of action against consuming liquor at tourist spots, public spaces and against hooliganism at these places.
Giving details about the plan, sub-divisional police officer, Lonavla, Dnyaneshwar Shivthare said monsoon tourism puts additional strain on systems due to traffic snarls. It has been decided to ban vehicles toward Bhushi dam in the afternoon on Saturdays and Sundays. This will ensure smooth flow of traffic and will ease woes of citizens and tourists.
Tourists are coming in hordes during weekends to Lonavla and Khandala as it has been raining at these hill stations.
This is resulting in crowding of the areas in around these towns. The Pune-Mumbai highway and the road toward Bhushi dam get jam packed due to the excess number of tourist vehicles. Local citizens, along with tourists, face hardship due to this.
The police have planned measures considering the heavy tourist rush. Vehicles going toward Bhushi dam have been banned; there is no entry for heavy vehicles from 6 am to 10 pm during weekends. Traffic going out from these hill stations will be diverted via Raywood and old Khandala.
The Lonavla police have put up signages, directing tourists about the diversions. Around 300 policemen will be deployed to control traffic.
Measures such as parking spaces, anti-encroachment drives, CCTV cameras and putting jammers on erring vehicles will be taken.
The police said precautions are being taken to ensure control of crowds, easing snarls and safety of tourists so that visitors can enjoy the trip.
‘Tourists should move freely’
Lonavla Municipal Council President Surekha Jadhav said the council is planning measures for the convenience of tourists so that they can enjoy their trip. Public toilets are being set up at eight places. Tourists should freely relish the tour but they should take care that others are not troubled due to their conduct.
