The Maharashtra government has given its approval to a massive infrastructure and development package worth over Rs 22,425 crore for the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela, set to take place in Nashik and Trimbakeshwar in 2027. Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat shared this update while addressing the Lok Sabha, marking the first official confirmation of the scale of funding committed by the state.
The disclosure came in response to a question raised by the Dindori MP, with the minister confirming that the plan received sign-off from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis earlier this year, during a meeting of the apex committee overseeing Kumbh preparations. Despite the scale of the state’s investment, the minister clarified that no formal request for central financial support has yet reached the tourism ministry, noting that such assistance is only extended once a proposal is submitted and meets the ministry’s eligibility criteria.
To manage preparations for the event, Maharashtra has set up a layered governance structure, including a 40-member apex committee led by the chief minister, along with a separate executive committee tasked with planning and coordination, and a dedicated ministers’ committee for policy decisions. Local representation has also been built into the process, with the Nashik MP included among the apex committee’s members.
Supporting this structure, the state has also created a dedicated authority for the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela, tasked with coordinating across departments, managing funds, and overseeing execution of infrastructure projects tied to the event.
The approved plan covers a wide range of civic infrastructure, including road upgrades, water supply systems, sanitation facilities, riverfront development, and transport arrangements, all aimed at preparing the region for an enormous influx of pilgrims. Officials expect the 2027 gathering to draw around 12 crore visitors, a figure nearly four times higher than the turnout recorded during the 2015 edition of the Kumbh Mela.
Ahead of the main event, a flag-hoisting ceremony marking the start of preparations is scheduled for October 31 this year, while the major ritual bathing days, known as Amrit Snans, will take place between August and September 2027.