285 from Pune, Mumbai booked for violations in Lonavla

Pune: The Pune rural police came down heavily on weekend monsoon revellers from Pune and Mumbai, who visited Lonavla, Khandala, Kamshet and Vadgaon Maval on Saturday and Sunday in violation of the lockdown norms.
The police filed 285 cases against such people for violations, including travelling without a valid e-passes, not wearing masks, and carrying more than three people in a car.
The police and the local administration have banned monsoon tourism in the hill station and adjoining areas as part of a move to check the spread of Covid-19. Every year, during weekends, thousands of people from the various parts of the state and country visit Lonavla, Khandala and surrounding picnic spots to enjoy the showers and scenic waterfalls.
A team headed by additional superintendent of police Navnit Kawat of Lonavla division took strong action against the revellers on Saturday and Sunday. Police from Lonavla city and Lonavla rural, Kamshet and Vadgaon Maval police stations kept a vigil at different points, waterfalls and roads to catch violators.
Also, police have stepped up vigilance on the highways, especially during the night, and are checking passenger vehicles heading to the hill station. Police have also enhanced patrols in these destinations.
Police said that they found 90 passenger vehicles travelling in the Lonavla–Khandala areas without e-passes. Police filed as many as 135 cases against those visiting these spots without wearing a mask, and also took action against 60 four-wheelers in which more than three people were found travelling.
“Many people, especially from Mumbai and Pune, visited the hill station on Sunday despite the ban on tourism. Majority were found travelling without valid e-passes,” inspector Manojkumar Yadav of Lonavla (city) police said.
Yadav said the four–wheelers were found heading towards Bhushi dam and other points on the roads leading to Rajmachi and Aamby valley from Lonavla. There are several points on these roads and people often stop there to enjoy the rain or waterfalls, police said.