COVID:19 Lonavala witness tourist crowd amid restrictions

Pune: On the backdrop of the pandemic tourists spots have been banned by the orders of Pune district Collector. But despite the ban, Lonavala witnessed a large influx of tourists owing to the onset of monsoon.  

Considering the heavy rainfall in the last few weeks in Lonavala and Maval, the city has turned lush green. The waterfalls have also been revived and the hill station is a scenic view. 

Sunday saw a huge crowd at famous tourist point in Lonavala such as Bushi Dam, Shahar pul, Lion point and Rajmachi garden.

Worried about the spread of COVID-19, the residents have appealed to the police and local administration to take stringent actions against the tourists. Lonavala's major tourists come from neighbouring cities such as Pune and Mumbai, where the patients are in huge numbers. 

Similar was witnessed at Khandala, Raiwood and Nausena baug. The Pune Rural police along with the local gram panchayat, municipal council and local volunteers of various broads have been blocked and check post has been placed. More than 500 people in past has been penalised and cases have been registered against them for neglecting the pandemic law laid down under IPC 188 section.

The Lonavala division Deputy superintendent of police Navneet Kauvat under the Pune Rural police has directed the Lonavala city senior inspector Manojkumar Yadav, assistant police inspector Vaibhav Swami, Police sub-inspector Baliram Sangle, Mrugdeep Gaikwad, Priyanaka Mane and other official are deployed in such spot and are restraining people entering such area. They are directing them to go back or will be facing penalty charges as well as cases will be filed against them.