The Ujjain administration is undertaking significant infrastructure upgrades ahead of the Simhastha 2028 mega religious congregation, including the construction of approximately 29 kilometers of new ghats and the renovation and strengthening of 6 kilometers of existing ghats along the riverfront.
Multiple Access Points for Crowd Control
Ujjain collector Roshan Singh stated that the multiple access points are designed to reduce crowd pressure at any single location and ensure smoother movement during peak bathing days. The plan encourages devotees to use the nearest ghats and take the nearest entry and exit points for effective crowd management.
Improved Dispersal and Emergency Access
Officials revealed that entry and exit systems are being planned on both the right and left banks of the riverfront to improve crowd dispersal and minimize bottlenecks during major bathing dates, when lakhs of devotees are expected to gather simultaneously at the ghats. The proposed layout is also expected to enhance emergency access for police, disaster response teams, and medical services in case of congestion or any untoward incident during the event.
Learning from Past Events
Planners associated with Simhastha preparations said that crowd movement and evacuation systems have become a major focus area after studying crowd management models used during other large-scale religious gatherings in the country. The administration is simultaneously working on integrated traffic circulation plans, holding areas, and pedestrian movement systems around the mela zone to streamline pilgrim flow.
Comprehensive Preparations Underway
Preparations for Simhastha 2028 are currently underway at multiple levels in Ujjain, including riverfront expansion, road connectivity, accommodation planning, and civic infrastructure development. These efforts aim to ensure a safe and smooth experience for the millions of devotees expected to attend the event.
