This story is from September 19, 2021

Pune: 6 vulnerable spots at Sinhagad ghat covered with iron mesh

Six landslide-prone spots along the Sinhagad ghat section have been covered with an iron mesh to prevent boulders from rolling down onto the road.
Pune: 6 vulnerable spots at Sinhagad ghat covered with iron mesh
Installation of the mesh in 1,000 square metre area was completed during the recent dry spell of the monsoon
PUNE: Six landslide-prone spots along the Sinhagad ghat section have been covered with an iron mesh to prevent boulders from rolling down onto the road.
Public Works Department (PWD) officials said the installation of the mesh in a 1,000 square metre area was completed during the recent dry spell of the monsoon.
All the major vulnerable sports, located towards the top of the ghat, have been covered, said the PWD.

Six other locations, where the mesh needs to be installed, have been identified and the work will begin in phases depending on the allotment of funds by the state government.
“We received Rs2 crore in April to fix the mesh. A plan was chalked out and work began in May. The remaining work was completed recently when the rainfall stopped for nearly two weeks,” said the PWD official.
The department has been installing the mesh at vulnerable spots in phases. “Given the conditions and challenging terrain, the work is taken up in sections at crucial spots on priority. It was observed that most landslides were reported in the upper section of the ghat towards the top of the hill. Hence, work in those areas was completed,” said the PWD official, adding that now, vulnerable spots towards the lower half of the ghat will be covered.

The PWD said that the machinery has been moved from the ghat after the completion of the work. Frequent visitors said the ghat should be monitored regularly.
Vikas Raje, a regular visitor to the fort, said, “Sinhagad ghat has been witnessing frequent landslides during the past few monsoons. Though the fort is closed in view of the pandemic, it attracts many visitors. Authorities must regularly inspect the ghat and the road.”
PWD officials said the plan for the next phase of work was being chalked out. IIT-Bombay had conducted a survey to identify vulnerable spots in the ghat after frequent landlsides over the past few years. Sinhagad Fort is located around 30km from the city. Besides the ghat road, there is a trail used by trekkers to reach the top of the fort.
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About the Author
Sarang Dastane

Sarang Dastane is a senior correspondent at The Times of India, Pune. He covers government offices, the railways, the Regional Transport Office, the district collectorate and state transport. His hobbies include trekking and outdoor activities, and he’s a social worker too.

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