The death of a 52-year-old tourist at Rajgad Fort on Saturday has once again raised serious concerns about the absence of basic safety and emergency infrastructure at one of Maharashtra’s most visited heritage destinations.
Sandeep Balkrishna Pawar, a resident of Baramati, collapsed while descending from the Balekilla (citadel) area of Rajgad Fort on Saturday morning. Despite immediate attempts by fellow trekkers and locals to revive him, he was later declared dead due to cardiac arrest at a rural government hospital in Velhe.
No medical post or emergency team on site
Eyewitnesses said Pawar suddenly collapsed while returning from the citadel. With no medical post, first-aid centre or trained responders available on the fort, valuable time was lost in bringing him down the steep terrain.
Forest department guards and local youth eventually helped shift him to the base village, from where police transported him to hospital. Pune rural police confirmed that he was declared dead on arrival.
Regular trekkers and conservationists say the tragedy highlights a long-standing issue. Despite heavy footfall every weekend, Rajgad Fort has no permanent medical unit, no stationed ambulance and no structured evacuation system.
Growing calls for urgent reforms
Heritage activist Datta Nalawade said emergency response at the fort depends largely on the presence of volunteers rather than an organised mechanism. Similar concerns have been raised at other popular forts such as Sinhagad Fort and Torna Fort, which also attract thousands of visitors.
Locals have repeatedly flagged risks such as overcrowding, slippery paths, poor signage and weak mobile connectivity. Mountaineer Umesh Zirpe stressed that as heritage tourism grows, especially with increasing international recognition, safety planning must keep pace.
Following the incident, trekking and heritage groups have urged the state government to deploy medical teams, trained rescue personnel and emergency vehicles at major forts, particularly during weekends and holidays.
Pawar’s death, they say, is a stark reminder that heritage tourism without adequate safety measures can turn tragic.