Sinhagad Fort Rs 9 Crore Conservation: Three Gates, 750-Metre Stone Path and a Museum in an Old Wada
A Rs 9 crore plan for Sinhagad fort covers three gates, a 750-metre stone path, signage and a museum in an old wada. Tendering has started, says the Collector.
Photo: Suraj Digrase / CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pune, 10th November 2026: Sinhagad fort, Pune’s most visited hill fort, is set for a Rs 9 crore conservation plan. It covers repairs to its three main gates, a new 750-metre stone pathway, signboards and a museum in an old wada. Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi has said tendering for the works has begun, Punekar News reported.
The plan was drawn up by the state Archaeology Department. The District Planning Committee (DPC) will fund it.
What the Rs 9 crore plan covers at Sinhagad
According to the report, the works include:
- Repairs to entrance gates 1, 2 and 3, along with the stone steps before and after each gate
- Repairs to protective walls next to the gates
- A stone pathway of about 750 metres on the route leading to the fort
- A pedestrian path from the parking area to the Tanaji Malusare memorial
- Information and direction boards across the fort, designed to UNESCO guidelines
- Wall and roof repairs to the Devtake water tank structure
About 315 running metres of damaged fort walls will be repaired in a later phase.
A museum in an old wada near the Rajaram Maharaj samadhi
An old wada behind the samadhi of Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj will be turned into a museum and information centre. It will tell the history of Sinhagad through panels, exhibits and digital displays, in a traditional wada-style design.
No cost split, opening date or entry fee for the museum has been announced.
Why Sinhagad needs the work
Sinhagad, earlier called Kondhana, is linked to one of Maratha history’s best known episodes: Tanaji Malusare’s night assault in 1670, in which he was killed while recapturing the fort. The memorial to him is one of the main stops for visitors.
Thousands of people climb the fort on busy weekends, especially in the monsoon. Heavy footfall, rain and years of patchwork repairs have worn down steps, gates and walls.
This is not the first round of funding. In April 2023, Rs 3.75 crore was sanctioned under a regional tourism scheme for the Kalyan Darwaza area.
The district also set aside Rs 30 crore for fort conservation that year, Punekar News reported then. In June 2025, a seven-day drive led by the district administration cleared more than 10,000 sq ft of encroachments on the fort.
What changes for visitors
Work has not started yet, so the fort stays open as usual. Once contractors are on site, expect:
- Parts of the gate area and steps to be barricaded for some days at a time
- Diversions on the footpath between the parking area and the top
- Some work paused during heavy rain
If you plan a weekend trip, start early and check for notices at the base before climbing. Our forts near Pune guide has routes and tips, and Travel and Tourism has more weekend ideas.
What is still not known
The district has not shared a start date, completion deadline, contractor name or a cost breakdown for each item. We will update this story when tenders are awarded and work begins.
Frequently asked questions
How much will be spent on Sinhagad fort conservation?
About Rs 9 crore, under a plan prepared by the state Archaeology Department and funded through the District Planning Committee.
Which parts of Sinhagad fort will be repaired?
Gates 1, 2 and 3 with their steps and side walls, a 750-metre stone path, signage and the Devtake structure. More wall repairs come later.
Will Sinhagad fort get a museum?
Yes. An old wada behind Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj’s samadhi will become a museum on the fort’s history. No opening date has been announced.
Is Sinhagad fort closed for the work?
No. The fort is open. Some areas may be barricaded once work starts, so check notices at the base before your visit.
