Navi Mumbai, June 26, 2023: The City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco) has banned entry to the scenic Kharghar hills for three and a half months during the monsoon season, from June 15 to September 30. The decision has been taken to prevent landslides and other accidents in the area, which is prone to flooding.
A signboard has been put up at the entrance to the hill asking people not to venture inside. Only officials from the forest department, Cidco, and other government agencies, as well as villagers from two tribal hamlets located on the plateau, will be allowed to enter the area.
Residents of the area are not happy with the decision, as they say that the hill is a popular spot for morning and evening walks. However, Cidco officials say that the ban is necessary to ensure the safety of visitors.
“The entire route to the plateau is accident prone during the monsoon,” said a Cidco official. “We have had a series of landslides in the past, and we don’t want to take any chances.”
The tribal villagers who live on the plateau will be allowed to use the road as they need to access the local market at the foothill.
This is not the first time that Cidco has banned entry to the Kharghar hills during the monsoon. The corporation has taken this measure every year since the 2005 deluge, which caused widespread damage in the area.
The decision to ban entry to the Kharghar hills is a precautionary measure to prevent any untoward incidents during the monsoon. However, it is understandable that some residents are unhappy with the decision. Hopefully, the ban will be lifted after the monsoon season is over.
By Bard