Madhya Pradesh Government Unveils Grand Rs 30,430 Crore Blueprint for Simhastha 2028
In a bold move to elevate the Simhastha 2028 into a global spiritual spectacle akin to the Mahakumbh, the Madhya Pradesh government has formulated a comprehensive mega plan worth Rs 30,430 crore. This ambitious initiative is designed to facilitate a grand convergence of devotees from across the world in the state's spiritual capital, Ujjain.
Strategic Vision and Central Support Sought
The plan encompasses 275 diverse projects spanning roads, river rejuvenation, civic services, tourism, and security. Top sources have revealed that the state has already requested Rs 20,000 crore in special assistance from the Central government, while also advocating for the event to be declared of national importance. This appeal draws a direct parallel with the Centre's Rs 2,100 crore support for the 2025 Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, with the state arguing that Simhastha 2028, given its scale and global visibility, warrants similar or even higher financial backing.
Significantly, the planning follows a three-day visit by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav to Varanasi, where he studied crowd control, management strategies, and general planning for large-scale events like the Mahakumbh, while exploring cooperation in spiritual tourism.
Event Details and Pilgrim Projections
Scheduled to be hosted in Ujjain, the native city of the Chief Minister, from March 27 to May 27 next year, Simhastha 2028 will witness a global confluence of seers and devotees. The event features three 'shahi snans' (ceremonial holy dips) on April 9, April 14, and April 23, along with seven other key bathing dates. The state aims to attract 30 to 35 crore devotees, a substantial increase from the approximately 8 crore pilgrims recorded during the last edition in 2016.
Financial Breakdown and Project Approvals
As per the proposal, projects worth Rs 25,000 crore have already been approved, while those for another Rs 3,000 crore are under consideration. A separate corpus of about Rs 2,000 crore has been earmarked for temporary arrangements, logistics, and security during the two-month-long pilgrimage.
Core Infrastructure and Mobility Enhancements
Mobility lies at the heart of the plan, with Rs 17,259 crore allocated for 90 road projects. These include major greenfield corridors such as the Indore–Ujjain and Ujjain–Jaora highways, widening of key routes to four and six lanes, development of a dedicated Simhasth bypass, and extensive last-mile connectivity linking ghats, temples, transit hubs, and entry points to the city.
To alleviate congestion, 31 bridges and road overbridges worth Rs 1,793 crore have been planned, including railway overbridges, elevated stretches, and river bridges across the Kshipra River. Key projects like the Freeganj bridge are expected to eliminate long-standing traffic bottlenecks within Ujjain, facilitating smoother pilgrim movement to holy sites.
River Rejuvenation and Ghat Development
Ensuring adequate and clean water flow in the Kshipra River is a critical focus, with Rs 2,698 crore earmarked for river rejuvenation and ghat development. The Rs 919-crore Kahn closed-duct diversion project will channel polluted water through a 30-km canal and tunnel system to prevent river contamination. Additionally, the Rs 614 crore Sewarkhedi–Silarkhedi project will store and regulate 51 million cubic metres of water to maintain a steady flow throughout the year.
Ghat infrastructure is being significantly expanded, with 29.21 km of new ghats developed at a cost of Rs 778 crore and a further 9 km of existing ghats upgraded. These enhancements are expected to accommodate up to 2.5 crore pilgrims within 24 hours during peak bathing days.
Urban Infrastructure and Building Projects
Proposed urban infrastructure upgrades include Rs 2,451 crore for water supply, sewerage, and solid waste management. The drinking water project, costing Rs 1,113.67 crore, features a 250 MLD treatment plant, over 700 km of pipeline network, and 17 overhead tanks to ensure uninterrupted supply during the mela and for long-term city needs.
The plan also includes Rs 3,708 crore worth of building projects, covering police housing, guest facilities, administrative complexes, and tourism infrastructure. Major components comprise a Rs 592 crore medical college with a 500-bed hospital, a Rs 284 crore Unity Mall, and heritage conservation works aimed at enhancing Ujjain's religious and cultural appeal.
Power, Surveillance, and Temporary Works
Power infrastructure projects worth Rs 373 crore will strengthen supply through new substations and underground cabling. Meanwhile, Rs 1,139 crore has been allocated for surveillance and IT systems, including an Integrated Command and Control Centre for real-time monitoring of crowds, traffic, and emergencies.
Temporary works worth Rs 1,000 crore will focus on sanitation, tent cities, accommodation, and essential services within the mela area, reflecting the extensive arrangements required for one of the world's largest spiritual gatherings.
Long-Term Economic and Tourism Development
The plan strategically ties Simhastha preparations to long-term economic and tourism development, with proposed circuits linking Ujjain to Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, and Mandu. Other projects in the pipeline include the expansion of hospitality infrastructure and development of an IT park to diversify the local economy beyond pilgrimage-driven activity.
Officials have confirmed that groundwork has already commenced across various sectors. However, timely approval of central assistance will be crucial to completing projects well before 2028, ensuring the smooth management of what is anticipated to be one of the largest spiritual confluences globally.
