PUNE: It has been a week since the road to Sinhagad Fort, which was closed for many weeks, was thrown open for vehicular traffic. Small hotels and eatery owners, in addition to those providing private transport till the fort gates, are now aiming to make the most of a lost opportunity to cash in on the peak holiday season from Christmas to New Year’s Eve.
A freshly tarred road that includes a 2.5 km cemented road and newly installed steel nets in the ghats to prevent stones and boulders from falling on the road greet the visitors coming to this iconic fort.
“Very few visitors came in the last month of 2019 since the road was closed. Only those who could trek, would come to the fort,” said Sachin Khatpe from the nearby village. He comes to the fort daily with his family to sell pithla bhakri and other snacks to visitors.
He is now relieved that the normal flow of visitors has resumed.
Even though the road was closed for a major part of December, adventurous visitors were able to trek up to the fort via the jungle trail. But from January 1 onwards, the bustling tourist activity has come as a big relief for the local economy.
Ganesh Gopane drives an 8-seater vehicle to ferry tourists from the base of the hills to the fort. “We faced a hard time during the peak holiday season. Now, it is business as usual,” Gopane said.
School picnics, youngsters and family groups came in large numbers to visit the fort this week, as the new year vacation was followed by the weekend.
The Public Works Department had earlier declared the road would be closed till January 11 but decided to open it before the deadline since work of installing two steel nets was completed ahead of schedule, Jayant Kakade, Executive Engineer, Public Works Department (south division) told Sakal Times.
Onions bring tears
Soaring onion prices in December did not make things easy for small hotel owners and other vendors who sell freshly prepared snacks, like kanda bhaji (onion fritters) and meals that include a generous serving of onion pickle at this fort that formed a key part in Maratha emperor Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s campaign in the 17th century.