There are quite a few forts with historical value in Pune and Sindhudurg, Maharashtra. They include Rajgad, Rajmachi, Purandar, Tikona, Lohagad, and Torna in Pune and Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg, and Sawantwadi Palace in Sindhudurg among others. Those forts that are now in delapidated conditions will be repaired and converted into heritage hotels. Such forts have no status tags and virtually falling apart; some are privately owned or have been encroached.
The idea proved to be success in the state of Rajasthan where some old monuments have been given a major facelift and are now enjoying great popularity with tourists as heritage accommodation.
The state government is now selecting forts that can be redeveloped as hotels. As soon as the selection is confirmed, Maharashtra government will conduct a tender to choose companies that will transform forts into accommodation. According to the state government, the historical value of the forts will be preserved and protected.
Yet the initiative of the government has already met strong criticism of activists who believe such renovation will ruin monuments in the long run destroying the remaining legacy of the historical forts.
Historical Forts of Pune to Become Heritage Hotels
News in Asia
Historical forts in Pune, India, may be transformed into heritage hotels, according to Maharashtra Tourism Ministry.