Faith sets sail on Kshipra: Simhastha 2028 may blend pilgrimage with water adventure

Indore: Simhastha 2028 could witness a new confluence of faith and leisure as the Madhya Pradesh govt plans to introduce controlled water sports and river tourism activities on the Kshipra River, expanding Ujjain’s spiritual landscape into a broader year-round tourism experience.

Under the proposed plan, areas near Triveni Ghat may offer recreational activities such as paddle boating, family boat rides, pedal boats and other light water-based attractions designed for pilgrims and tourists.

Authorities are also exploring cruise-based evening aarti experiences on the Kshipra, along with curated pilgrimage circuits connecting major temples and ghats across Ujjain. The project further proposes Hop-On Hop-Off transport services, integrated electric mobility systems and premium tourism facilities aimed at making travel within the city part of the pilgrimage experience itself.

“We are working on developing an integrated inland water transport system that can improve connectivity for pilgrims and tourists while creating a unique spiritual and tourism experience around the Kshipra river. The focus is on providing seamless and environmentally sustainable mobility while strengthening Ujjain’s tourism potential,” said Ujjain collector Roshan Singh.

The initiative is part of a larger river mobility project intended to move beyond seasonal pilgrimage activity and create permanent attractions around one of India’s biggest religious gatherings.

The proposed Inland Water Transport (IWT) system on the Kshipra River is being planned under a public-private partnership model across a nearly 15-km river stretch connecting major temples, ghats and tourist destinations.

According to officials, the network will operate across two major corridors -- from Triveni Ghat near Shani and Navagraha Mandir to Gau Ghat over approximately 5.5 km, and from Durgadas Ki Chhatri to Mangalnath across nearly 6.5 km.

Modern low-draft electric and hybrid boats with seating capacities of 20 to 40 passengers are proposed for the project to ensure environmentally sustainable transport. Plans also include floating jetties, modular boarding points, digital ticketing systems, prepaid transport facilities and electric shuttle connectivity for last-mile travel.

Sources said Ujjain Smart City Limited has invited expressions of interest from boating and cruise operators from cities such as Varanasi, Ayodhya, Prayagraj, Mumbai, Goa and Pune. The agency is currently preparing the detailed project report and finalising the PPP framework with technical experts.

Based on feasibility studies, the tender process for the project is expected to begin within the next two months, sources added.