Pune: Rajgad, Torna forts in Bhor and Velhe closed to tourists

PUNE: The sub-divisional officer of Bhor has issued an order closing all tourist locations, including the historic Torna and Rajgad forts, to tourists as a measure to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
These locations are known for attracting tourists and trekkers in hordes from Pune, Mumbai and other cities during the monsoon season. Bhor and Velhe have recorded 17 and 34 positive cases till date since the outbreak.
Bhor sub-divisional officer Rajendra Jadhav told TOI, “Recently, a man from Narhe Ambedgaon in Pune tested positive for nCoV after he had visited Torna fort. The authorities of the Pune Municipal corporation alerted us about the development. We had to undertake a contact tracing exercise immediately.”
“The decision to close the tourist locations has been taken in view of a surge in fresh cases after June 8. A number of tourists and trekkers from Pune had started visiting the forts and other popular places,” Jadhav added.
Bhor and Velhe tehsils are known for their hilly terrains and have six dams as well as 20 Kolhapur-type dams. Tourism forms the main source of income, particularly in the tribal belt of these tehsils.