Machete attack on Hanuman Tekdi rattles hundreds of daily walkers

Pune: A day after a machete-wielding duo attacked and robbed a student on Hanuman Tekdi, both young and old who frequent the hill for jogging and leisure voiced safety concerns.
Regular visitors cite poor lighting along the trail and an increasing presence of liquor bottles, making the hill feel unsafe, especially outside the busy early morning and evening hours.The robbery, which took place a few metres from the main road on a popular trail, left many shaken, with calls for more police patrolling.
Businesswoman Gayatri Chaudhri said that she was concerned but added that staying on the trail feels relatively safe. "It's not scary if you stick to the main path, but youngsters often venture into secluded green patches. If you're in a big group, it's fine, but for individuals or pairs, it can be dangerous," she added. Mornings are safest due to higher footfall, she added.
Sidharth Khandagle, a polytechnic student who treks the hills daily, shared his unease. "Nothing's ever happened to me, but the hills feel unsafe after sundown. Sunday's incident happened in the day near the pagoda, a place always buzzing with people. That makes it scarier—if it had been in a more isolated spot, it would have made some sense, but this was right on the main trail," he said.
The hill, on Senapati Bapat Road, is visited by students from nearby colleges—Symbiosis, Fergusson College, BMCC, MMCC, Law College, Polytechnic College and other institutions. "Hence, this place is an easy target for anti-social elements," a regular walker said.
Former Pune MP Anil Shirole, during his evening walk on the hill, acknowledged the presence of "unwanted elements" and suggested practical solutions. "We need more police patrolling or CCTV cameras to monitor who comes and goes," he said, emphasising the need for safety measures.
Prashant Khopade, who works in the accounts department of a nearby college, admitted that the robbery has shaken regulars. "I've been coming here every day for two years, and to think that two people with machetes could attack someone near the pagoda—a visible and popular spot—is terrifying. There should be more undercover police to deter such behaviour," he said.
Senior citizen Ramesh pointed out the need for better illumination on the hill, particularly along the trails used by visitors. "More lighting and patrolling could make a big difference," he added.