Maharashtra teams to visit Prayagraj, Study Mahakumbh for Nashik Kumbh Preparations

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday held a meeting for preparation of Kumbh Mela in Nashik at Sahyadri Guest House. The CM instructed the administration to organise a grand ‘Mahakumbh’ in Nashik to showcase the diverse religious traditions of the country. He also emphasised on planning for a safe and well-organised Kumbh Mela on the lines of Prayagraj.

During the meeting, Mr. Fadnavis reviewed arrangements for traffic management, crowd control, the establishment of Sadhu Gram, purification and beautification of Godavari river and its tributaries, development of infrastructure, and other related development works.

A senior official said that the CM has asked to set up a cell of 25 to 30 officers and government personnel to look after the preparation of the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela. “Additional Collector will lead the cell,” he said.

The delegation, which is headed by Nashik Divisional Commissioner Pravin Gedam, includes Nashik district collector Jalaj Sharma, Nashik Superintendent of Police among others. The delegation is likely to go to Mahakumbh in the first fortnight of February. The delegation will study the traffic management, Sadhugram (the place where Sadhus stay) and river cleanliness in Prayagraj city during the Maha Kumbh mela.

Speaking with this newspaper, Mr. Gedam said, “We will be going to Mahakumbh in the month of February. We will study how the Uttar Pradesh government has provided the basic amenities to the devotees in Mahakumbh.”

Mr. Fadnavis also emphasised that the kumbh should feature temples, pilgrimage sites, and cultural heritage from across the country and the state, allowing devotees to experience them in one place. A large convention center will also be established for this purpose.

The CM instructed the officials to start branding of the Kumbh Mela in order to boost the local economy and bring Nashik on the global stage. He also said that Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Religious Corridor would be developed, establishing Nashik as a “Religious Hub”.

Officials said that the police have also formed two teams to study security arrangements and traffic management in Prayagraj city during ongoing Mahakumbh. The office of the Director General of Police has formed a team under the chairmanship of Joint Commissioner Sharda Raut. The team includes Nashik city deputy commissioner of police Kiran Chavan, police inspector Sanjeev Fulpagar and sub-inspectors Vasant Lande and Manisha Kamble as members. Ms Raut led team will visit Prayagraj from 20 January to 22 January. While the second team has been formed under the leadership of Deputy Inspector General of Police Rajiv Jain. This team includes deputy commissioner of police Krishnakant Upadhyay, assistant police officer inspectors Kiran Rondle and Vikrant Nagare as members. The second team will go to Prayagraj from 23 January to 25 January.