Maharashtra clears Rs 1,800 crore more for Nashik Simhastha Kumbh Mela
Urban development department issues GR releasing Rs 1,800 crore from this year's supplementary provision for Kumbh Mela preparations.
The state government has approved release of an additional Rs 1,800 crore to the Kumbh Mela Authority to speed up preparations for the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela. The urban development department issued a government resolution (GR) on the matter on Thursday.
The state government had approved a supplementary demand of Rs 3,000 crore for essential Kumbh Mela works for the 2026-27 financial year during the monsoon session of the legislature. About a month and a half later, on a request from the Kumbh Mela Authority, the finance department approved release of Rs 1,800 crore from that provision.
Earlier, in the 2025-26 financial year, Rs 3,098 crore had been released to the Kumbh Mela Authority. The funds received over the past two years are expected to give a major push to various infrastructure and essential works for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela.
The funds have been released in phases for different stages of Kumbh Mela preparations. These include Rs 283 crore, Rs 717 crore, Rs 501.40 crore, Rs 396.60 crore and Rs 1,200 crore, adding up to Rs 3,098 crore. The government has now approved release of Rs 1,800 crore from the Rs 3,000 crore supplementary provision sanctioned for 2026-27.
The GR clearly stipulates that the Rs 1,800 crore approved by the government must be spent only on Kumbh Mela work, and only for the purposes specified for it.
The funds must be used in compliance with guidelines issued from time to time by the finance department, rules relating to delegation of financial powers, and other conditions.
Responsibility for the proper use of the funds has been given to the chairman of the Kumbh Mela Authority and the Nashik divisional commissioner. The government order also stipulates that funds be released or spent by the concerned agencies only after the relevant works receive administrative and technical approval from the competent authority.
A utilisation certificate must be submitted to the government promptly after the funds are spent. The expenditure will be met from the provision available under the relevant budget head for planning and implementation of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela.
The release of these funds is expected to speed up implementation of infrastructure, traffic arrangements and other works needed for the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela.
