Rajgad Fort
However, the surge in visitors has not been matched by the availability of basic medical facilities or emergency response systems, said locals and MLA. “There is a glaring lack of primary healthcare facilities, emergency medical response systems and immediate rescue pathways at Rajgad,” said Mandekar “With thousands of tourists visiting the fort, especially during weekends and monsoon months, this gap poses a serious risk to lives. They said that the need to provide ambulances, communication systems and advanced life-saving equipment, including modern rescue and evacuation tools, to ensure rapid response during critical situations.
Pune: Rising concerns over tourist safety at Rajgad Fort, one of Maharashtra ’s most iconic historical monuments, have prompted a demand for the immediate deployment of emergency medical facilities and trained rescue teams at the site. Bhor–Rajgad–Mulshi MLA Shankar Mandekar has urged the Pune district administration to establish a permanent emergency healthcare mechanism and rescue infrastructure at the fort, citing recent tragic incidents involving tourists. Mandekar has submitted a written memorandum to Pune zilla parishad chief executive officer Gajanan Patil, seeking urgent intervention. Rajgad, the historic capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, has witnessed a sharp increase in tourist footfall in recent years, particularly after its inclusion in the list of Unesco globally recognised heritage sites. The issue gained urgency after two tourists reportedly died of cardiac arrest at Rajgad over the past three weeks, raising serious questions about preparedness to handle medical emergencies at high-altitude heritage sites. The remote terrain, steep climbs and limited accessibility significantly delay medical assistance during emergencies. Tourism experts and local residents called for the installation of a dedicated emergency medical unit at the fort, along with the deployment of trained rescue personnel equipped to handle accidents, medical emergencies and evacuation operations. The proposal also includes posting healthcare staff, police personnel and a disaster response unit on a permanent basis. ZP CEO Patil didn’t respond to phone calls.
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