The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) is planning to develop permanent infrastructure on land it owns at Sadhugram in Tapovan, a crucial site for housing sadhus during the Simhastha Kumbh Mela. The proposed development covers approximately 377 acres located in a no-development zone and will include essential facilities such as roads, water supply, sewerage networks, and other civic amenities.
Land Acquisition and Costs
Of the total land, around 95 acres are already in the civic body's possession, while nearly 200 acres are being acquired at an estimated cost of Rs 2,264 crore. The state government has approved the land acquisition and allocated the necessary funds. The remaining parcels are owned by public trusts.
Shift from Temporary to Permanent Infrastructure
Civic officials stated that this move aims to end the recurring practice of creating temporary infrastructure for each Kumbh Mela. Currently, the NMC develops temporary facilities on leased land, which are dismantled after the event to restore the area to its original condition. With permanent infrastructure on civic-owned land, there will be no need for repeated construction and dismantling.
“We have submitted a proposal to the Kumbh Mela Authority in this regard,” officials said.
Expansion Plans for Sadhugram
In addition to the 377 acres for permanent development, authorities plan to requisition around 1,000 acres on lease from farmers during the Kumbh period. The Kumbh Mela Authority is working on a comprehensive plan for developing Sadhugram on around 1,400 acres. Once the plan is finalized and submitted to the NMC, it will prepare a detailed layout and initiate the tendering process for infrastructure development.
Officials noted that the project will involve both permanent and temporary infrastructure across the expanded area, including roads, streetlights, water supply lines, sewerage systems, and other essential amenities.
Significance of Sadhugram
Sadhugram serves as the designated zone for accommodating sadhus and religious akharas during the Kumbh. During the previous Kumbh in 2015, Sadhugram was developed over 350 acres and housed around 2.5 lakh sadhus. This time, the number of sadhus visiting Nashik is expected to rise to nearly 10 lakh. To cater to this, authorities plan to expand Sadhugram to around 1,400 acres, including approximately 1,050 acres taken on lease.
Facilities in the Layout
Apart from core infrastructure, the Sadhugram layout will include temporary bathrooms and toilets, sector offices, police posts, shelter areas for devotees, shopping zones, and electrification arrangements.
Upcoming Simhastha Preparations
Preparations for the upcoming Simhastha are accelerating. The flag-hoisting ceremony of the Kumbh Mela is scheduled for October 31, while the three major ‘amrit snan’ dates are likely to fall between August and September. Officials emphasized that the focus on permanent infrastructure marks a long-term planning approach aimed at improving efficiency, reducing recurring costs, and ensuring better management of large-scale religious gatherings.
