Cyclists riding through Sinhagad Fort’s historic Pune Darwaza and down its steps during a downhill mountain biking event have triggered concern over heritage protection, visitor safety and the limits of permissions issued by different government departments. The activity reportedly took place during the ZLS Downhill Mountain Biking Pune Final Race, held in the forest area between October 22 and 25, with around 28 cyclists from nine countries participating.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has said it did not grant permission for the event in the protected area under its control. The Pune Forest Department, meanwhile, had issued a conditional permission on October 21 to event director Gautam Tawde for organising the competition in the forest area. The permission did not authorise cycling inside portions of the fort controlled by the ASI, Forest Department officials said, raising questions about how cyclists entered the historic gateway and used the fort’s steps.
The Forest Department’s permission contained 12 conditions. These included restricting access to the forest area to between 8 am and 5 pm, prohibiting overnight stays and ensuring that visitors were not obstructed. Organisers were also made responsible for the conduct of participants and for preventing damage to wildlife, vegetation and government property. The permission stated that the concerned forest range officer could stop the event if it posed a threat to forest or wildlife safety.
The conditions also required organisers to account for the heavy weekend visitor footfall at Sinhagad. The road to the fort could not be closed on Saturdays and Sundays, and organisers were instructed to ensure that tourists faced no obstruction. Responsibility for any accident during the event was placed on the applicant, according to the permission document described in the report.
Forest officials told Civic Mirror that the event was permitted to promote cycling and support the Pune Grand Tour initiative. However, some cyclists were seen riding in the fort area and near the historic entrance, prompting officials to suspect that the permission had been misused. The activity was stopped after it came to notice, the officials said. They reiterated that permission to conduct an event in the forest area did not amount to permission to use a protected monument or its restricted sections.
The incident has led to anger among admirers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and visitors who regard Sinhagad, formerly known as Kondhana, as a site of major historical significance. The fort is associated with the 1670 battle and the sacrifice of Tanaji Malusare. Concerns have also been raised about the risk posed by fast-moving bicycles on the fort’s narrow, steep routes, particularly when families and other tourists are present.
The dispute has exposed the administrative complexity of managing Sinhagad, where different sections may fall under the authority of different departments. The ASI’s reported refusal and the Forest Department’s conditional approval have prompted questions about whether the proposed route was clearly defined and whether all required permissions were secured before the competition began. The ASI has indicated that legal action may be considered against those who conducted an activity in the protected area without its approval. Further action is expected to establish whether the permission conditions were followed and how cycling took place near the Pune Darwaza.
