Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati condemns unauthorized hotels, cafes and rope‑way firm for encroachment On Raigad Fort

Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati raised alarm after a rope‑way firm reportedly built hotels, restaurants, cafes and concrete palaces on Raigad Fort without permission threatening heritage conservation and UNESCO‑status integrity.

Raigad| 08 December 2025: At the historic Raigad Fort, once seat of the Maratha empire, serious allegations of unauthorized development have surfaced. Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, head of the Raigad Development Authority, has accused a private rope‑way operating company of erecting large-scale concrete structures  hotels, restaurants, cafes and palatial buildings on the fort premises without any approval from authorities.

According to Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, these constructions violate all norms and were carried out even after notices from the heritage authorities. He pointed out the irony that while even minor conservation work  like roof covers for ancient structures  is stalled by red tape, the rope‑way firm has been allowed to build “massive commercial palaces” with apparent impunity.

The new buildings  spanning thousands of square feet pose a serious threat to the historical sanctity of the fort. Chhatrapati lamented that while the ancient royal palace and other heritage structures lie in ruins, modern cement‑concrete edifices are flourishing under the garb of tourism and commerce. He criticized both the state of neglect by heritage agencies and the “arrogance of commercial interests.”

The situation is especially worrying because the fort has recently been recognised under the heritage landscape of the former Maratha empire. Chhatrapati warned that continued unchecked development could jeopardize the fort’s heritage status. He demanded immediate action  removal of illegal structures, deeper scrutiny of permissions granted to private firms, and stricter enforcement of conservation rules.

As a rallying cry for heritage lovers and concerned citizens, Sambhajiraje’s statement shines a spotlight on a growing problem: unchecked commercialization at historically sacred sites. The need for urgent official intervention and public vigilance has never been more evident.

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