Forgotten Pune forts set to be solar-lit in effort to illuminate history
Mission Urja, which is a rural electrification initiative of Inamdar's TREE Innovative Foundation, works on providing clean energy to remote tribal villages in Maharashtra. This is Mission Urja's first effort with forts. The initiative is funded by CSR.
Mission Urja, which is a rural electrification initiative of Inamdar's TREE Innovative Foundation, works on providing clean energy to remote tribal villages in Maharashtra. Tikona, Ghangad, Korigad and Jivdhan. These are forts that have played their part in history and slipped into darkness, ruin and forgetfulness. Trekkers and local people visit these but, for the greater part, there is little light thrown on them. On June 6, the anniversary of the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, this oversight is set to be corrected. On that day, an initiative called Mission Urja (Fort edition) will begin to light up these little-known forts and illuminate history.
“There are several forts across Maharashtra that are not recognized by the state’s Fort Conservation Department. When we visited a few of them, we found that there was little maintenance and no electricity but there was a tourism appeal for young people who love mountains. We decided to re-illuminate four forts, to begin with, using solar power,” said Tanveer Inamdar, a Pune-based mechanical engineer, scientist and social entrepreneur who won the KarmaVeer Fellowship, instituted by International Confederation of NGOs in partnership with the United Nations, in 2019 and 2023.
The next fort where work will start is Ghangad which is located at Mulshi taluka of Pune district.
Mission Urja, which is a rural electrification initiative of Inamdar’s TREE Innovative Foundation, works on providing clean energy to remote tribal villages in Maharashtra. This is Mission Urja’s first effort with forts. The initiative is funded by CSR.
The plan to electrify forts involves deploying solar streetlights with the lithium battery that require zero maintenance for five years. The number of streetlights depends on the size of the fort. There will be floodlights of 50-60 watt to illuminate the facade and the small and big rooms of the forts. “We are also installing the solar CCTV camera. We are aware that these forts are usually used for criminal activities. Surveillance of these forts is very critical. The recording of the footage from the CCTV cameras will be provided directly to the local police officers and the Pune commissioner’s office,” says Inamdar. To give a boost to local tourism, there will be two to three solar mobile charging units. “We are also deploying a four KW solar central unit. That way, if someone wants to do some maintenance work, such as drilling, they can use the central power unit,” says Inamdar.
He adds that one more major parameter is security. “When we install the streetlight or CCTV camera, what is a guarantee that these will not be damaged or stolen? So, we are using a stone foundation rather than a concrete foundation. Stone foundations are very difficult to remove. We are using metal fencing. All the materials that are easy to remove are covered with metal fencing along with fasteners. These are among the minute precautionary measures we have taken,” says Inamdar.
The first fort to be solar-lit as part of this initiative is Tikona, which is also known as Vitandgad. A triangular hill fort in Maval, it stands at an altitude of approximately 3,500 ft. From here, one can soak in the picturesque vista of the Sahyadri mountain range and other forts. “Historically significant, Tikona Fort was an important military outpost during the rule of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The fort served as a strategic watchtower as it controlled the surrounding valleys and trade routes. The important features of the fort include a large stone entrance, steep climbing paths, caves, water tanks and a small temple dedicated to Trimbakeshwar Mahadev at the summit,” says Inamdar.
The next fort where work will start is Ghangad which is located at Mulshi taluka of Pune district. From a height of 3,000 feet, it overlooks Tamhini Ghat and the Mulshi Dam, among others. “Ghangad was primarily used as a watchtower and prison and was important for the Marathas, the Peshwas and even the British. Though not a large fort, it is known for its steep rock-cut steps, fortified entrance and the panoramic beauty of the Sahyadri hills. Its rugged terrain and strategic location made it a crucial part of regional defense. Ghangad reminds us of Maratha ingenuity and power,” says Inamdar.
The electrification is being carried out with solar equipment obtained from Rajasthan, Gujarat and Kerala. “Every material, even the smallest part, which we are installing must have a five-year warranty because we are looking towards the sustainability of the execution,” says Inamdar. The workers will be drawn from the local villages. “We have met the local samiti, which we have called Urja Samiti. These are teams of the local youngsters of the tribal communities. These tribals live on and at the bottom of the fort,” says Inamdar.
The local workers are being trained in technical aspects, beginning with transportation of material. It is not easy to carry material to the forts as roads are non-existent and they cannot use vehicles. During the rainy season, the challenges become even steeper.
“Every pole has to be carried on heads or shoulders. Training the Urja Samiti plays a very crucial role in the execution of this project because these tribals are the transporters, security personnel and technicians, among others,” says Inamdar. He adds that all safety precautions have been taken, and the team is constantly on ground. “We are not only checking the quality of the installation but also verifying the quality of safety equipment,” he adds.
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