NewDelhi/Nashik: In an unprecedented arrangement for a Kumbh Mela, the Nashik Police Administration is planning to use a dedicated waterway on the Godavari River to transport VIPs and VVIPs to Ramkund during the 2027 Simhastha Kumbh.
The initiative is aimed at preventing VIP convoys from disrupting regular traffic and causing congestion for ordinary citizens and pilgrims. Instead of travelling through busy roads, visiting dignitaries will reach Ramkund by boat after arriving in Nashik by helicopter.
Police Commissioner Sandeep Karnik said this would be the first time in the history of the Kumbh Mela that a waterway was being used specifically to manage VIP movement in this manner.
How the VIP Waterway System Will Work
Under the proposed arrangement, VIPs arriving in Nashik by helicopter will be transported from a temporary helipad at the KTM College grounds to the KTM Boat Club. From there, they will board boats and travel directly along the Godavari River to Ramkund.
The waterway will be cordoned off to ensure secure movement. At the same time, roads will remain open to the public, avoiding the traffic restrictions and diversions generally associated with VIP visits.
The administration expects the arrangement to reduce pressure on the city’s road network, minimise traffic congestion and make police deployment easier during the large gathering.
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Security Arrangements Along the Water Route
The waterway is being developed with dedicated security and safety infrastructure. Water barricades have been installed along both sides of the boat route to secure the movement corridor.
The boats will be equipped with international-standard life jackets and other safety equipment. Disaster management teams and lifeguards will also remain deployed along the route round the clock.
Explaining the objective behind the arrangement, Police Commissioner Sandeep Karnik said the waterway was being developed so that ordinary citizens would not face disruption because of VIP convoys. He added that modern security infrastructure would be installed along the route.
Kushavarta Kund to Be Purified Within Six Hours
Alongside the traffic and VIP movement arrangements, another major initiative is being undertaken at Trimbak, where the sacred Kushavarta Kund is set to receive a comprehensive water purification system.
The Kumbh Mela Authority has signed an agreement worth ₹28 crore with the Vishwaraj Foundation for the project. Work has already commenced, with the objective of making the water in the kund completely clean and germ-free within six hours.
The initiative will follow a 4P model, combining public-private partnership with active public participation.
The source material also mentions that the purification process could be completed within three hours, although the detailed project description specifies a six-hour target.
Focus on Pilgrim Convenience and Kumbh Management
The waterway for VIP movement and the purification project at Kushavarta Kund form part of the preparations for the 2027 Simhastha Kumbh in Nashik and Trimbak.
While the dedicated boat corridor is intended to keep VIP movements away from public roads, the purification initiative aims to improve water quality at one of the region’s most sacred sites.
Together, these arrangements reflect the administration’s focus on traffic management, security, sanitation and facilities for the large number of pilgrims expected during the religious gathering.
