Thu Apr 17 07:28:57 UTC 2025: ## INTACH Demands Ban on Flammable Items at Maharashtra’s Devgiri Fort After Fire

**Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, April 17, 2025** – Following a recent fire at the historic Devgiri (Daulatabad) fort, the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has called for a ban on flammable materials within the monument.

A significant portion of the fort was damaged by a fire on April 8th, which also affected local wildlife. INTACH, in a memorandum submitted to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), attributed the blaze to grass igniting on the fort’s Baradari.

The organization’s recommendations include: regular removal of vegetation from the fort structures; increased cleaning drives, especially before summer; thorough security checks at the entrance to prevent the entry of cigarettes, lighters, and other flammable items; a ban on plastic bottles; and strict adherence to the Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2006, including maintaining accessible pathways for emergency vehicles.

Devgiri Fort, located 16 km from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, is a popular tourist destination and a significant historical site, having served as the capital of the Yadava Dynasty from the 9th to 14th centuries. INTACH’s actions highlight the urgent need for improved safety measures to protect this invaluable heritage site.

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