Foreign cyclists race through Sinhagad's Pune Darwaza; ASI says it gave no permission

The Pune Darwaza at Sinhagad, a place of reverence for devotees of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, is alleged to have been turned into a stunt track for cyclists. Riders are said to have raced through the gate, regarded as a symbol of Maratha valour, during a downhill mountain biking competition last weekend. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) says it had not permitted any such activity within its limits.

The episode has raised questions over how a risky sporting event was allowed at a crowded heritage site and whether the conditions laid down by the Forest Department were knowingly breached.

The organiser, Zoravan, had held the ZLS Downhill Mountain Biking Pune Final Race. About 28 cyclists from nine countries took part. The Pune Forest Department had given conditional permission to hold the race in forest areas from October 22 to 25. Officials said the permission did not allow riders to enter the restricted part of the fort, which is under the ASI.

In a letter dated October 21, 2026, the Deputy Conservator of Forests, Pune, allowed race director Gautam Tawde to hold the event on 12 conditions. The letter also said the organisers and participants would bear personal responsibility.

The conditions were clear. Entry to the forest area was allowed only between 8 am and 5 pm, overnight stays were banned, and the road could not be closed on Saturdays and Sundays because of the heavy tourist crowds at Sinhagad. The organisers were to ensure that tourists were not obstructed, forest laws were not violated, and wildlife, plants and government property were not harmed. The permission also empowered the concerned range forest officer to stop the race if forest or wildlife safety was at risk.

Forest officials said the permission was granted to promote cycling and the Pune Grand Tour initiative. They allege, however, that it was misused, as some participants were seen riding inside the fort premises, including near the historic gate. Officials said they stopped the activity as soon as they noticed it. Even so, the Forest Department's permission does not override the ASI's separate authority over the protected parts of the monument.

Followers and devotees of Shivaji Maharaj are angry at seeing cyclists perform downhill manoeuvres at the fort's entrance. For them, the fort is not merely a tourist spot but a place that tells of the sacrifice, courage and military history of Maharaj and the Maratha warriors. They are concerned that a site of deep historical and emotional importance should not be used as a backdrop for dangerous stunts, especially on weekends when families and tourists throng the fort. Since the Forest Department's own permission said the road could not be closed because of the crowds, there is also concern about the risk of accidents on the narrow, steep and crowded fort route.

The central question is whether the organisers kept the race within the area covered by the Forest Department's permission, or let participants enter areas under ASI control. The Forest Department's letter had asked the organisers to ensure that no vehicles entered restricted areas and that tourists were not disturbed. The permission also stated that the applicant would be responsible for any accident during the race.

Dr Vilas Wahane, Assistant Director of the ASI, said the organisers had broken the rules and that the ASI had never given permission. "We examined the videos and information, and also reviewed detailed reports from the organisers, the Forest Department and other agencies. The permission for the race was for the area up to the threshold of the fort, which falls under the Forest Department, not for Sinhagad fort. The organisers acted illegally and broke the rules. They never sought permission from our department. We will soon send notices to the organisers, the cyclists and others connected with the event for their actions," he said.

The organisers, however, said they had sought the necessary permissions and that no rules were violated. Officials have also indicated that legal action against those responsible is possible.

Sinhagad was earlier known as Kondhana. Because of the 1670 battle linked to Tanaji Malusare, it holds a central place in Maharashtra's historical memory. Its fortifications, gates and steep climbing routes are part of that legacy. Safety and conservation therefore matter when large public events are proposed. The episode shows the need to mark permitted routes clearly, coordinate approvals among departments, and ensure that adventure sports do not reach protected structures or crowded public access areas.