• Nashik’s Big Test: Funding the Kumbh Mela
• Escalating Financial Commitments
Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive
The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) is preparing for the 2027 Simhastha Kumbh Mela by planning significant infrastructure developments. Initially, a ₹15,000 crore plan was proposed, which has since been reduced to ₹7,500 crore. The NMC is expected to contribute 25% of the approved project costs, amounting to approximately ₹1,500 crore over the next two fiscal years. This marks a substantial increase from the ₹262.65 crore contributed during the 2015 Kumbh Mela, reflecting the expanded scope of current projects. According to the Sprouts News Special Investigation Team, the rising financial burden on the NMC has sparked debates over whether the state and central governments should bear a larger share of the costs.
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• Budgetary Adjustments and Fund Allocation
To meet its financial obligations, the NMC has earmarked ₹550 crore for the upcoming fiscal year, with plans to liquidate fixed deposits exceeding ₹200 crore. This strategy has raised concerns among former municipal representatives, who argue that the responsibility for funding the Kumbh Mela should primarily lie with the state and central governments, especially given the NMC’s existing financial constraints.
• Strategic Infrastructure Developments
The NMC‘s infrastructure plan includes the construction of ring roads, expansion of water treatment facilities, enhancement of health services, and development of parking areas. These initiatives aim to accommodate the anticipated influx of over 5 crore devotees and sadhus during the Kumbh Mela. Additionally, the NMC is focusing on financial discipline by avoiding unnecessary expenditures and exploring new revenue streams, such as utilizing assets like Goda Park and new auditoriums for revenue generation. The Sprouts News Special Investigation Team has found that while these measures may help, financial experts believe additional external funding will be necessary to meet the large-scale demands of the event.
As the 2027 Kumbh Mela approaches, the NMC faces the challenge of balancing its financial resources to ensure the successful execution of this significant event.