This monsoon, heading to Lonavala for a break will be a challenging task for Mumbaikars. Local police at the hill station have limited the entry to only those with e-passes. People found without an e-pass will be fined Rs 1,000. However, police do not have instructions on whether they are to send back people found without a pass or let them stay after the payment of the fine.

Last year, crowds rushed to Lonavala during the rains in August. This year too, as rains arrive, crowds and traffic were seen at the hill station over the weekend. It took the local police over an hour to control the traffic. As a result, entry and exit points have been blocked with nakabandi. Senior Inspector Milind Pawar of Lonavala police said, “Only people having e-passes will be allowed to come to Lonavala. We have imposed a strict nakabandi at all entry and exit points in Lonavala. We have a staff strength of 40 and have placed requests to provide 15 more personnel for nakabandi.”