Nagpur, Jun 23 (PTI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced plans to upgrade all roads leading to Nashik ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, set to commence on October 31, 2026.
A high-level meeting focusing on the highways connecting Nashik was held with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, according to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office on Sunday.
In light of the anticipated large influx of devotees and the need for effective traffic management during the grand event in Nashik, Gadkari has provided in-principle approval for developing and constructing necessary road infrastructure through his ministry, the statement said.
The Simhastha Kumbh Mela will start on October 31, 2026, with the 'Dhwajarohan' (flag hoisting) ceremony at Trimbakeshwar and Ramkund in Nashik. The event will conclude on July 24, 2028, after the final ritual when the flag is taken down. This religious assembly occurs once every 12 years.
Citing the growing faith of devotees and the expected increase in footfall during the Kumbh Mela, Fadnavis had approached Prime Minister Narendra Modi for central assistance to enhance road infrastructure, said the release.
Consequently, a high-level meeting was held at the CM’s Office in Nagpur with Gadkari and senior state officials, during which these decisions were reached, it added.
Nashik is connected by eight major routes, including from Mumbai, Palghar, Pune, Ahilyanagar, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Dhule, and the neighboring state of Gujarat.
These roads will be critical during the Kumbh Mela, and internal roads in and around Nashik that connect to national highways were also discussed in the meeting.
Gadkari has given in-principle approval to nearly all proposed road projects, and it was decided that the necessary funds for completing the work would be allocated shortly, the CMO stated.
Fadnavis assured that the anticipated surge in traffic during Kumbh will be managed efficiently through an expanded road network, ensuring safer travel for devotees.
Approval was granted for the Nashik Ring Road, and a decision was made to expand the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar road into a six-lane highway, the release noted.
To facilitate smooth traffic flow within Nashik, it has been decided to enhance the infrastructure at Dwarka Circle.
Similar to the Kalamboli junction in Navi Mumbai, Nashik's Dwarka Circle will undergo development in two phases, one before Kumbh and the other after the event, the release further stated.
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