Police personnel will be deputed to prevent revellers from venturing near prohibited waterfall areas in Panvel and Khalapur. The Panvel taluka police said section 144 (to curb instances of nuisance) has been imposed in these areas and 19 cops will be deputed in its jurisdiction to prevent drowning and other fatal incidents.
The police have also put up notice boards outside Gadeshwar dam in Nere village, prohibiting people from entering the area. If it rains heavily in Matheran, there is a sudden rise in the level of water in Gadeshwar dam and chances of drowning rise, the police said.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner of Police (zone 2) Shivraj Patil had appealed to citizens to not venture into waterfalls banned by the administration. “It’s a precautionary measure, and the police are vigil on all such spots to ensure that people remain safe,” said Patil.
Gadheshwar dam, Wardoli waterfall, Morbe dam, Kundi waterfall, Pandavkada, Chafewadi and Fanaswadi are some of the major tourist attractions because of their waterfalls. Travellers from Mumbai, Thane and Raigad visit these spots in large numbers every monsoon.
The police said that Gadheswar dam is not just a drowning risk, it supplies water to Panvel city and therefore should not be contaminated by entering the river basin or dumping any objects. “We will take strict action if anyone is found littering and drinking alcohol or similar intoxicants in the area,” said an official from the Panvel taluka police station. He added that revellers must not park their vehicles along the already-narrow road as it will slow the traffic near these waterfalls and dams. In case of an accident, the movement of ambulances and other vehicles will be affected, he said.
Senior inspector Ravindra Daundkar said that besides imposing section 144, locals have been asked to inform the police about misplaced activities. The police station has also issued contact numbers to lodge complaints.
