For the first time in history, a woman officer will take charge of managing one of the largest religious gatherings in the world – the Haridwar Kumbh Mela. IAS Sonika Singh, currently serving as Additional Secretary in the Civil Aviation Department, has been appointed as the Mela Adhikari (Mela Officer) for Haridwar Kumbh Mela 2027, marking a significant milestone in Uttarakhand’s administrative journey. Organising the Kumbh Mela is not an ordinary task. It is equivalent to building a temporary city. From roads, bridges, sanitation lines, medical facilities, to crowd control mechanisms, everything must be planned meticulously. The government also aims to enhance environmental sustainability, digital infrastructure, and disaster management protocols in this edition.
The Uttarakhand government, which is eager to host a grand and well-organised Kumbh in 2027, has started the preparations two years in advance. Interestingly, this upcoming event is officially being promoted and publicised as the Kumbh Mela, even though, technically, it is an Ardh Kumbh (held every six years). By dropping the term “Ardh,” the government aims to amplify the scale and significance of the event.
The State government’s move to treat and promote the Haridwar Ardh Kumbh Mela 2027 as a full Kumbh Mela shows that it wants to make Haridwar 2027 a grand spiritual and cultural event. Officials have confirmed that all the traditional features of a full Kumbh – including Shahi Snan, Peshwai processions, and massive infrastructure development will be integral to the event.
IAS Sonika Singh has previously served as the District Magistrate of Dehradun and has a solid track record in governance and administration. Her appointment as Mela Adhikari is being hailed as a progressive step towards gender parity in top administrative roles.
Taking formal charge at the Mela Control Office in Haridwar, Singh has already begun consultations with key departments and outlined her priorities – including crowd management, sanitation, transport logistics, and seamless coordination among civic and religious bodies.
Why the Early Appointment?
Given the scale of the event and the expected influx of crores of pilgrims, early planning has become crucial. As seen in previous editions of the Kumbh, short tenures and frequent changes in the post of Mela Officer often hampered its continuity and progress. Thus, by appointing a seasoned officer like Sonika Singh well in advance, the government hopes and aims to ensure stability, accountability, and focused execution.
Since 1986, Haridwar Kumbh and Ardh Kumbh Melas have been helmed by a series of senior IAS officers. In 1986, under then-UP Chief Minister Narayan Dutt Tiwari, Arun Kumar Mishra was appointed as the Mela Officer. The event marked the beginning of permanent infrastructure development in Haridwar.
Subsequent Melas saw frequent changes in leadership:
1992 Ardh Kumbh: Rajeev Gupta
1998 Kumbh: Fateh Bahadur Singh
2004: Multiple officer changes, including Om Prakash, Maheshwari, S.C. Napchyal, and finally, Utpal Kumar Singh
2010 Kumbh: Anand Vardhan (now Chief Secretary)
2021 Kumbh: Deepak Rawat (IAS)
However, none of these officers were women. This makes IAS Sonika Singh’s appointment a historic first.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, in an official statement, emphasised the equal contribution of both men and women in the development of the state. He stated, “In a progressive state like Uttarakhand, women have always played a key role. This is not about comparison; it’s about capability. IAS Sonika Singh’s leadership will bring new energy to the preparations.” He added that the shortcomings of the Kumbh Mela 2021, which was held under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, would be addressed in the 2027 event with unprecedented grandeur and better execution.
What to Expect in 2027?
The Haridwar Kumbh 2027 promises to be bigger, better, and more inclusive. The government’s move to remove the “Ardh” prefix has already added to the buzz. With the leadership of IAS Sonika Singh, a capable and experienced administrator, expectations are high for a well-organised, spiritually fulfilling, and logistically seamless religious gathering.
As preparations gain momentum, Haridwar is set to transform once again into a sacred confluence of faith, tradition, and administration, under the steady leadership of its first woman Mela Adhikari.
