Rs 9-crore proposal to conserve Sinhagad, old wada to become museum

Tourists visiting Sinhagad will soon be able to understand the fort's history better, and reach some of its key heritage structures more easily. The archaeology department has prepared a Rs 9-crore conservation proposal. It includes repairing the fort's gateways, mending collapsed walls and setting up a museum on the fort's history.

Funds for the work will come from the District Planning Committee (DPC). District Collector Jitendra Dudi said the tender process has already begun.

A large part of the proposal concerns the route from the parking area to the memorial of Tanaji Malusare. A stone footpath about 750 metres long is planned so that tourists can reach it easily. The first three gateways of the fort will also be repaired, including the stone steps on both sides and the protective walls around the doors.

The work is not limited to the gateways. The department has identified about 315 running metres of the fortification wall as damaged, and its repair will be taken up in the next phase. The historic Devtake (water tank) on the fort is also part of the plan.

Emphasis has also been laid on helping tourists find their way around the fort and get historical information. Signboards explaining the fort's importance and direction markers will be installed at various places. This is proposed in line with UNESCO guidelines, so that tourists can learn about the fort's heritage as they walk around.

There is an old wada behind the samadhi of Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj, and it is proposed to give it a new use. This traditional wada will be turned into a museum and information centre telling the history of Sinhagad.

The facility will present the fort's historical journey through information boards, select exhibits and digital presentations. As the traditional structure of the wada will be retained, the new facility will blend with the fort's historic surroundings. Even with the new museum, the fort's old look and atmosphere will be preserved.

The aim of all these measures is to conserve the structures on Sinhagad and make the fort's history and heritage more easily accessible to tourists. The proposal considers all the works together: gateways, walls, footpath, signboards and the museum.