All Roads Connecting Nashik to be Upgraded Ahead of Simhastha Kumbh Mela

 All Roads Connecting Nashik to be Upgraded Ahead of Simhastha Kumbh Mela - Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

 

 A high-level meeting on highways connecting Nashik held in presence of Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari

 

          Nagpur, June 22: In view of the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Nashik and the expected massive influx of pilgrims, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has given in-principle approval for the development and construction of necessary road infrastructure through the Union Ministry of Road Transport. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be prepared soon and funding will be allocated accordingly. This decision was taken during a meeting focused on the preparations for the Nashik Kumbh Mela.

 

          Considering the growing faith of devotees and the increasing crowd at the Kumbh Mela, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had earlier requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi for support from the central government for infrastructure development. Acting upon this, the high-level meeting was held at the Chief Minister’s office in Nagpur with the presence of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Maharashtra government officials, and relevant department heads.

 

          The meeting was attended by Water Resources Minister and Nashik’s Guardian Minister Girish Mahajan, Public Works Minister Shivrendra Singh Arunraje Abhay Sinhraje Bhosale, MP Smita Wagh, MLAs Devyani Pharande and Mangesh Chavan, Secretary of Ministry of Road Transport V. Umashankar, NHAI Chairman Yadav, Additional Chief Secretary of PWD Manisha Mhaiskar, Nashik Divisional Commissioner Pravin Gedam, Special IG Dattatray Karale, Nashik Police Commissioner Sandeep Karnik, Collector Jalaj Sharma, Municipal Commissioner Manisha Khatri, and other senior officials.

 

          Nashik is connected via approximately eight major routes including Mumbai, Gujarat, Palghar, Pune, Ahilyanagar, Sambhajinagar, and Dhule. These routes are crucial during the Kumbh period. The internal roads in and around Nashik that connect to national highways were also considered for development. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari gave in-principle approval for nearly all these roads. DPRs will be prepared soon, and funding will be provided to complete the works in time.

 

          CM Fadnavis stated that the expanded road network will help manage the huge traffic expected during the Kumbh Mela and ensure better safety and convenience for devotees. During the meeting, approval was granted for the Nashik Ring Road, and a decision was made to upgrade the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar road to a six-lane highway.

 

To streamline traffic in Nashik, special emphasis was placed on strengthening infrastructure at the Dwarka Circle, modeled after the Kalamboli Junction. The development of Dwarka Circle will happen in two phases—works to be completed before the Kumbh Mela, and works to be taken up after the event.

These routes will be developed – Important road projects in view of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027:

1. Ghoti – Pahine – Trimbakeshwar – Jawhar Phata

2. Dwarka Circle – Sinnar I.C. 21 (Samruddhi Expressway) – Nandur Shingote – Kolhar

3. Nashik to Kasara

4. Sawli Vihir (I.C. 20 Samruddhi Expressway) – Shirdi – Shani Shingnapur Phata (Rahuri Khurd)

5. Nashik to Dhule

6. Trimbakeshwar – Jawhar – Manor

7. Sawli Vihir – Manmad – Malegaon

8. Ghoti – Sinnar – Wavi – Shirdi

9. Shani Shingnapur Phata (Rahuri Khurd) – Ahilyanagar (Kharwandi Phata