PUNE: The decision of the State government to lease out 22 forts of lesser ‘historical value’ in the State to private players, evoked strong opposition from political parties and drew mixed reactions from citizens in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.
Various opposition parties and social organisations protested at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Chowk in Pimpri-Chinchwad on Saturday to condemn the decision to lease out forts .
Pandurang Balkawade, a former member of Bharatiya Itihas Samshodhak Mandal and eminent historian, said, “This new policy seems to be with the positive intention of doing something good for the dilapidated forts. However, the government should think of leasing out forts to mountaineering clubs, rather than commercial developers.”
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, clarified that the forts with links to legendary Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj will be not be given to private players.
Shrimant Kokate 45, author of the book ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharajanche Charitra’ said, “There are several other methods through which Class II category forts can be developed. The government should think about conservation of these forts rather than making it available for hotels or other private parties.”
The forts Maharashtra government is planning to lease out include Kandhar, Nagardhan, Nadur, Korigad, Laling, Salher, Parola and Ghodbunder.
Sakshi Pisal, an avid trekker from Pune who has visited some of these forts, said, “Whenever I go for trekking, I have found that some of the forts in Maharashtra are in a bad state.”
The 23-year-old thought that though a good move by the government, the conversation of forts can be best carried out by trekkers and mountaineers.
“This move will give an impetus to the local economy and many villages near forts’ bases will get income from tourism, but many people also feel that the new tourism policy will damage local culture,” said Ambika Deshpande, coordinator of a trekker’s club.
“Most of the residents get income from tourism but the government should take care of giving priority to locals first,” she added.
Addressing the protesters, Pimpri Chinchwad Congress unit president Sachin Sathe questioned as to who had authorised the State government to give various categories to the historic forts in the State. Sathe also asked why the Shiv Sena which is part of the State government had maintained silence over the sensitive issue.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader in Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation Sachin Chikhale, rights activists Manav Kamble and Maruti Bhapkar were among those who participated in the agitation.
