New cultural policy moots footfall regulation at forts

MUMBAI: The state cabinet on Monday approved a new cultural policy aimed at preserving Maharashtra’s rich heritage, with a special focus on forts and archaeological sites. A key decision under the policy is the regulation of footfall at forts during peak trekking hours to enhance visitor safety, especially during the monsoon season when crowds surge. The policy outlines comprehensive guidelines for 10 sectors, including craftsmanship, language and literature, visual arts, forts and archaeology, folk arts, music, theatre, dance, films, and spiritual culture. Specific to forts, the policy mandates the state government to cap visitor numbers, deploy security personnel, and install CCTV surveillance for better protection of these historical structures.