The recently concluded Mahakumbh in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj had not just been a confluence of cultural excellence of Bharat but also had been a global event. In its journey to become the Vishwa Guru, this Mahakumbh will can surely be called an unmatched point in time which will be discussed for decades to come. Taking the legacy forward, the Madhya Pradesh government has been working in full swing who is set to host the coming Simhastha-2028 Kumbh. In their recently presented budget, they had separately allocated funds for the grand event.
Known for Bhagwan Shiva’s Mahakal temple, the historic town of Ujjain will host “Simhastha Kumbh” in 2028, attracting millions of devotees. The unique and sacred event known as the Simhastha Kumbh is held when Jupiter enters the Simha Rashi.
In the state budget presented on March 12, a substantial allocation of Rs. 2005 crore was announced for the event. This allocation stands apart from the Rs 18,715 crore designated for urban development, a figure that exceeds last year’s allocation by nearly Rs 2,000 crore. Chief Minister, Mohan Yadav, is actively conducting meetings with his cabinet and concerned departments, closely monitoring the progress of construction projects and developmental plans in Ujjain for the coming Kumbh. He has set a strict deadline of June 2027 for major works and has mandated monthly review meetings to ensure steady progress.
According to the state government, it has estimated that around two crore people will visit every day during the one-month-long Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Ujjain, therefore, several ‘ghats’ need to be developed accordingly. A large number of people from different corners of the country and overseas nations will visit the holy city of Ujjain for a month-long Simhastha Mela, the largest congregation of Hindus that happens every 12 years in Ujjain.
With Simhastha Kumbh, Ujjain is set to emerge as a global hub of Adhyatma, which will offer world class facilities and seamless access to devotees. Committed to this vision, the MP government is utilising its full potential to ensure it becomes a historic and grand “Simhasth,” solidifying the state’s significance on the international religious map.
A permanent Kumbh City will be developed
The state government is taking a historic initiative to give permanent infrastructure to the holy city of Ujjain for Simhastha Kumbh 2028, one of the major religious events of the country. Till now, crores of rupees were spent on temporary construction during this mahaparva, which takes place in every 12 years. But this time, the government has planned to develop a permanent Kumbh city. Ujjain Development Authority (UDA) has prepared a blueprint for settling Kumbh Nagri equipped with modern facilities in about 2378 hectares of area under the Land Pooling Scheme. The project aims to develop Ujjain as a well-organised religious and cultural city, so that Simhastha 2028 and future events can get world-class infrastructure. This infra boom will serve as a new chapter for Ujjain as it will not only establish the city as a major religious and spiritual center but also give a rapid boost to the economy.
Additional Chief Secretary of Urban Development and Housing, Shri Shukla, told media that the Cabinet Committee has approved a total of 74 infrastructure development projects to be undertaken by seven major departments for Simhastha-2028, with an estimated cost of Rs 7,379.75 crore. Out of these, administrative approval has been granted for 54 projects, 15 construction projects are under the tendering process and work has already commenced on five projects. The camping area for Simhastha-2028 will be developed through the Town Planning Scheme (TPS). The State Government approved the Simhastha Mela Area Urban Development Scheme TPS 8, 9, 10, and 11 (covering 2,378 hectares) on March 7, 2025.
As the state government has begun preparation for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, several projects have been approved in the past few months, including a metro line from Indore to Ujjain.
On November 2024, CM Yadav-led MP cabinet approved a four-lane highway project worth Rs 2,312 crore between Ujjain and Indore. Two other roads are part of this proposed project — Indore-Ujjain Greenfield Road worth Rs 1,370 crore, and Indore to Depalpur Road worth Rs 239 crore.
On December 20, 2024, the state Cabinet approved a proposal to build a 29-km-long pathway will be constructed between Shani temple (on the right side of the river) and Nagda bypass on the banks of river Shipra and ‘ghats’ for the Simhastha. The pathway and ‘ghats’ will cost around Rs 771 crore. It is built to provide easy passage to the visitors. The state government has decided to build separate ‘ghats’ for saints.
The state government has also announced a plan to develop facilities of ashrams and ‘dharamshalas’ for saints and seers in Ujjain on the lines of Haridwar.
Holy Dip in Kshipra
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav and his government is committed to make the Kshipra river uninterrupted and clean by Simhastha-2028. During a visit to Ujjain last year in December, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda joined CM Yadav in reviewing plans for Simhastha 2028. He had declared that, by 2028, pilgrims will have pure water of the Kshipra river available to take a holy dip, with the river thoroughly cleaned.
Notably, Khan Diversion Close Duct Project, Sewarkhedi-Silarkhedi Medium Project and construction of barrages on Kanh and Kshipra rivers, construction of ghats from basalt and related works have also been done. The main objective of the Kanh Diversion Close Duct Project is to prevent the contaminated water of the Khan River from mixing with the Kshipra River in Ujjain city, so that the water of the Kshipra remains pure. In this project, a barrage is to be constructed on Kanh river in the Jamalpur village of Ujjain tehsil, through which the contaminated water of Kanh river will be diverted through a closed duct. The total length of the project is 30.15 km with which a close duct is to be constructed by cut and cover in 18.15 km length and the tunnel is to be constructed in 12 km length, at a total cost of Rs 920 crore. Deadline for the completion of these project is 3 years.
The aim of the Sewarkhedi-Silarkhedi Medium Project is to channel rainfall into the Silarkhedi pond, which would subsequently supply water to the river during dry seasons, so maintaining the Kshipra’s flow throughout the year. This project is anticipated to be finished in 30 months at an estimated cost of Rs 615 crore. Additionally, it is planned to build six barrages, five on the Khan River and one on the Kshipra, at a cost of Rs 37 crore.
Government Gears Up for Simhastha-2028
The MP government has intensified its efforts for Simhastha-2028, with CM Dr. Yadav leading the preparations with full commitment. On March 12, he chaired a high-level meeting to assess the progress of Simhastha planning and issued crucial directives to officials. Emphasising the significance of timely execution, he stated that all arrangements and management-related works should ideally be completed before June 2027, allowing ample time to address any final gaps and enhance preparations further. He also mandated monthly progress reviews to ensure smooth execution and eliminate any shortcomings.
During the meeting, officials from various departments presented their action plans for Simhastha-2028. Key discussions revolved around traffic management, parking and security arrangements, crowd control, human resource management, accommodation, electricity, water supply and sanitation, healthcare, bathing facilities, publicity, food supply, disaster management, IT infrastructure, CSR initiatives, and the development of tourism circuits. Insights gained from the recently concluded Prayagraj Mahakumbh were also shared, with a focus on adopting its best practices to ensure efficient management of the mega event.
CM Dr. Yadav highlighted that millions of devotees will visit Ujjain during Simhastha-2028. To ensure seamless movement, he directed that inner lanes and roads of Ujjain, along with the main roads, should be widened, providing alternative transportation routes for pilgrims. He also stressed the need to expedite bridge construction over the Kshipra River and within the city to facilitate smoother access.
Major Infrastructure Developments Underway
Dr. Yadav further revealed that seven major routes leading to Ujjain have been approved as four-lane highways, while one major route to be expanded into six lanes. He instructed officials to accelerate construction so that all routes are completed on time, guaranteeing smooth transportation for pilgrims.
With meticulous planning and proactive governance, the Madhya Pradesh government is determined to make Simhastha-2028 a historic and well-managed event. Under the leadership of CM Dr. Yadav, Ujjain is set to emerge as a global center for adhyatma and cultural grandeur.
Focus on Disaster and Fire Management
Recognising the potential challenges of managing such a massive event, CM Dr. Yadav instructed officials to prioritise disaster preparedness and fire safety management. He emphasised that even minor lapses in planning should not lead to unpleasant incidents. Volunteers and personnel involved in Simhastha management will undergo specialised training to effectively prevent and respond to emergencies, ensuring a safe and well-organized gathering.
