State clears Rs 2,267 crore for Sadhugram land acquisition ahead of Simhastha Kumbh Mela scheduled in 2027

Nashik: State govt has approved Rs 2,267 crore for the permanent acquisition of 283 acres of land for Sadhugram in Tapovan, a key component of preparations for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela scheduled in 2027. The approval came during a high-level meeting chaired by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai on Wednesday.With the approval of funds, the land acquisition process is expected to begin shortly, paving the way for execution of key development works like accommodation, internal roads and basic civic amenities.The meeting was attended by deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, Kumbh Mela minister Girish Mahajan and senior cabinet members, along with top bureaucrats. Deputy CM Shinde later shared the update on X, stating that of the total 377 acres reserved for Sadhugram, 94 acres had already been acquired by Nashik Municipal Corporation. The newly sanctioned funds will be used to acquire the remaining 283 acres.Sadhugram serves as the designated settlement for sadhus during the Kumbh Mela. Authorities are planning a major expansion of the facility, with the total development expected to span around 1,450 acres this time. Requisition of around 1,150 acres is to be done temporarily for it. Expansion comes in view of the anticipated surge in the number of sadhus, which is projected to exceed 10 lakh, compared to around 2.5 lakh who attended the 2015 Kumbh when Sadhugram was spread across nearly 350 acres.Govt has also reviewed plans for critical infrastructure, including roads, parking facilities, drinking water supply, hospitals, disaster management systems and overall safety arrangements. Officials emphasised that there would be no shortage of funds for Kumbh-related works.In addition, nearly 15,000 sanitation workers are planned to be deployed to maintain cleanliness across Sadhugram and surrounding areas.