Pune : In response to the tragic incident near Bhushi Dam, where five people were swept away by a waterfall on Sunday, the Pune district administration has swiftly implemented safety measures to protect tourists during the monsoon season. A prohibitory order has been issued for various picnic spots across the district, effective from July 2 to 31.
The order affects popular areas including waterfalls and dam regions in Maval, Bhor, Velha, Junnar, Mulshi, Khed, and Ambegaon tehsils. These measures aim to prevent further tragedies and ensure a safe experience for visitors.
The administration has detailed safety protocols for hazardous tourist locations, such as identifying and marking dangerous areas, deploying lifeguards and rescue teams, and installing warning signs. The order, issued by Pune District Collector Dr. Suhas Diwase, is under the newly implemented Section 163 of the Bhartiya Nagari Suraksha Sanhita and the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
Key restrictions include prohibiting gatherings of five or more people at specified locations, banning entry into deep natural water bodies, forbidding selfies and video creation at these sites, restricting vehicle access within a one-kilometer radius of waterfalls, and banning the sale and consumption of alcohol in designated areas. Violators will face penalties under Section 223 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 and the Disaster Management Act 2005.
In the wake of the incident, over 60 makeshift shops near Bhushi Dam were demolished during a joint anti-encroachment drive by the Lonavala Municipal Council and Central Railway on Tuesday.
