Over the last few months, the state government of Maharashtra and the local municipal corporation in Mumbai had drawn strict guidelines for tourism and related activities, keeping the coronavirus outbreak in mind. However, as per recent updates, officials have adopted a new policy and relaxed the restrictions, thereby allowing tourists to visit Lonavala without an e-pass.
This policy of the administration has Every year, the popular hill station in Maharashtra attracts several tourists and visitors, especially in the monsoon and months which follow. A large number of people visit Lonavla and Khandala to enjoy nature, however, amidst the lockdown, the government had taken strict actions to not allow people, thereby avoid crowding and spread of the virus.
But the newly revised guidelines have brought great relief to the hoteliers and small business owners in the area. This move is also expected to bring many tourists to the scenic place and help resume the activities.
Besides this, the local administration had also placed a ban on tourist visits to nearby rivers, waterfalls and dams. However, a few days back, some tourists had entered the Bhushi Dam area violating the rules, following which Lonavla police had registered cases against more than 300 such tourists. A fine of Rs 3.5 lakh was also imposed and officers had set up checkpoints at Khandala, Khalapur Toll Naka, Navsena Bagh and other areas to keep a check on the tourists.
The decision to revise the guidelines was taken after the Hotel and Restaurants Association of Lonavla and Khandala (HRALK) demanded the cancellation of e-pass, as local hoteliers felt that the number of tourists reduced to this condition imposed by the government.
Meanwhile, the state government has allowed hoteliers to book 33 per cent of their total capacity in compliance with the central government's guidelines and conditions for corona under Mission Begin Again. It is now expected that the administration's new decision will boost tourism.
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