Nashik authorities face challenge as 2027 Kumbh Mela footfall projected at 12 crore

Nashik: Footfall of over 12 crore devotees has been projected for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela scheduled to be held here in 2027, presenting a major challenge to the authorities when compared to the 2.5 crore pilgrims who visited Nashik during the previous Kumbh Mela in 2015.With less than 15 months left for the mega religious congregation, civic and state agencies have stepped up preparations, focusing on large-scale infrastructure development, traffic and mobility management, sanitation, disaster preparedness and increased use of technology to manage crowds of unprecedented proportions.The flag-hoisting ceremony marking the formal beginning of the upcoming Kumbh Mela is scheduled to be held on Oct 31 this year, while the three major Amrit Snaan (holy bath) dates are slated between Aug and Sept 2027. Officials said that the comparatively shorter preparation window has necessitated tight timelines for completion of key projects.Speaking to TOI, Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority (NTKMA) commissioner Shekhar Singh said the expected footfall of around 12 crore devotees has been factored into all planning aspects. "Preparations are being made keeping this scale in mind. The focus is on strengthening road infrastructure, improving traffic and mobility arrangements, redevelopment and expansion of ghats, sanitation, water supply and other essential facilities," Singh said.Officials from NTKMA also said Kumbh-related works worth over Rs20,000 crore are currently underway across Nashik and adjoining areas by various authorities.As part of preparations, at least 29 major roads are being developed at a total cost of Rs1,270 crore, while six new bridges over the Godavari and Nandini rivers are being constructed for around Rs 150 crore. The tendering process for these projects has been completed and work orders have been issued, with construction already underway in several stretches by the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC).One of the key projects is the 65km-long outer ring road encircling Nashik, which is being developed to ease traffic flow during the Kumbh Mela and divert traffic away from the city. The project is being implemented by the Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation (MSIDC) at an estimated cost of Rs7,922 crore, which includes land acquisition and civil works.Officials said several other Kumbh-related infra projects are at various stages of execution and expected to be completed by March 2027, well ahead of the main bathing dates.Meanwhile, a joint team of multiple departments on Tuesday carried out an inspection of major ghats along the Godavari river to review preparedness, crowd management arrangements and infrastructure requirements. The inspection was conducted by NTKMA head Singh, NMC commissioner Manisha Khatri, and Nashik city police commissioner Sandeep Karnik, along with officials from other relevant agencies.The team inspected key stretches from Ahilyabai Holkar bridge to Naroshankar temple bridge, followed by Veer Savarkar bridge and up to Laxminarayan ghat. Both riverbanks were surveyed to study pedestrian movement, identify bottlenecks, assess entry and exit routes, holding areas and review the condition of existing facilities. Officials also assessed the need for repairs, widening and creation of additional infrastructure at vulnerable points.