Girish Mahajan stresses clean water, new Snan sites, and better crowd control as Nashik gears up for its biggest Kumbh Mela yet.
Nashik, March 29: With the 2027 Nashik Kumbh Mela expected to draw record-breaking crowds, Maharashtra Water Resources and Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan has begun high-level reviews of key locations, crowd control measures, and infrastructure upgrades.
“We expect two to three times more devotees than last time. Preparations must be bigger, better, and smarter,” Mahajan told ANI during his inspection.
After visiting 5–6 critical sites in Nashik, including Trimbakeshwar, the minister emphasized the importance of maintaining water purity and preventing bottlenecks during the Snan (holy bath) rituals.
“We are working year-round to ensure the Godavari water remains clean. At the same time, we want to avoid overcrowding by identifying multiple Snan sites,” he added.
The Kumbh Mela in Nashik, held every 12 years, is one of Hinduism’s most significant religious gatherings. Inspired by the scale of the recently concluded Prayagraj Maha Kumbh 2024, the Maharashtra government has begun proactive planning to accommodate a far larger number of pilgrims.
Officials have confirmed that new Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and road upgrades—particularly between Nashik and Trimbakeshwar—are on the cards. Some works that require over a year to complete will start immediately in Phase 1, followed by shorter-term projects.
“Our team studied Prayagraj’s Kumbh planning. Based on those learnings, we’ve initiated planning in Nashik. Funds have been sanctioned, and work on the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar road will begin soon,” said Divisional Commissioner Praveen Gedam.
Authorities are currently identifying new bathing locations, as the current designated Snan ghat is considered too small for the expected turnout.
The 2027 Kumbh will demand unprecedented coordination in sanitation, security, traffic regulation, and pilgrim accommodation, all of which the state government has vowed to address through a phased, well-funded approach.