Mumbai: Sanjay Gandhi National Park plans online-only ticketing within two months after fake entry ticket racket exposed

SGNP is a protected forest area under control of the forest department. File pic/Nimesh Dave

Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) plans to shift to an online-only ticketing system in the coming months, subject to the proposal going ahead as planned. The move follows the arrest of a man for allegedly selling fake park entry tickets, with another accused still at large.

A senior forest department official at SGNP told mid-day that an online e-ticketing and visitor access system could be introduced within the next one to two months. Visitors would be able to buy entry tickets and book other facilities at the park through the portal.

“If everything goes according to plan, we will introduce an online e-ticketing and visitor access system within the next two months. Through this, park visitors can purchase entry tickets and book other facilities at SGNP online,” the official said. The official said the proposed system would improve transparency and curb malpractices, including sale of fake tickets.

In a report published on October 8, mid-day reported that visitors were allegedly sold counterfeit Sanjay Gandhi National Park entry tickets at prices higher than the prescribed rates, causing a potential loss to the Maharashtra government. The Kasturba Marg police arrested Akash Ravindra Sardar, 31, in connection with the case and are searching for the alleged main accused, Ganesh Ishwar Thakur. Police suspect Thakur has the machinery and software used to manufacture the fake tickets.

Thakur was arrested by Aarey police in December 2025 for allegedly forging forest department receipts and cheating filmmakers and the government over shooting permissions at Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Aarey Milk Colony.

A forest department source called for a thorough investigation into Thakur’s alleged involvement in the fake-ticket case, citing his arrest in the earlier case. “The police should conduct a thorough investigation to uncover further details about Ganesh Ishwar Thakur and his involvement in criminal activities, given his prior arrest for cheating filmmakers,” the source said. SGNP attracts 20 lakh visitors annually, according to the park sources.

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