Maharashtra government will put up warning signs at dangerous tourist spots as it emerged that a family drowned in a waterfall near the backwaters of Bhushi Dam in Pune’s Lonavala region.
The families of the five people who drowned at Bhushi dam, Lonavala, would be given each ₹5 lakh from Chief Minister’s relief fund. This was revealed to the Assembly on Wednesday.
The Deputy CM and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar made an announcement that highlighted installation of warning signage at areas prone to accidents, such as prohibited zones or dangerous locations for tourists so as avoid tragedies like this in future.
When the issue was raised by NCP legislator Chetan Tupe in the Assembly, he said unsuspecting visitors do not know about treacherous terrains during monsoon and asked that authorities should post warning signs here and strictly enforce prohibitions.
Tupe said one of his constituents (Hadapsar) lost its residents called Ansari when they died in Lonavala.
He also informed that boards would be mounted by planning partners in all 36 districts with hazardous locations and additional safety measures including nylon nets and barricades being considered. “Right now, we have decided to give families of those who died this amount,” he added.
Given recent developments, Pune district administration has imposed Section 144 orders which restrict entry to several picnic spots such as Bhushi Dam and Pavana Dam area-Maval tehsil from July 2-31 aimed at ensuring safety of tourists during monsoons while outlining preventive measures for hazardous tourist locations involving identification & demarcation of danger-prone areas, presence of life guards/rescue personnel and installation of cautionary signboards among others. During rainy season; tourists flock Bhushi & Pavana dams; Sinhgad; Malshej; Tamhini, other places located amidst Western Ghats in Pune district.
