Bhopal: The state government has taken a major step toward preparing for the grand religious gathering of Simhastha 2028 in Ujjain. Under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, the cabinet-level committee approved 17 new development projects worth ₹491.66 crore, along with a review of ongoing large-scale infrastructure works across multiple districts.
Officials confirmed that 148 development and construction projects worth ₹16,910 crore are already in progress across Ujjain and surrounding districts.
High-Level Review Meeting and Key Directives
In a meeting held at the state secretariat in Bhopal, CM Dr. Mohan Yadav reviewed preparations for Simhastha 2028. He emphasized timely completion of infrastructure, including:
- Road network expansion and connectivity upgrades
- Construction of Shree Kshipra river ghats
- Adequate water availability for holy bathing rituals
- Accommodation and transport arrangements for pilgrims
- Deployment training and staffing for event management
- Use of modern technology for crowd and disaster management
He also directed authorities to prepare micro-level planning for medical facilities and emergency response systems.
Major Infrastructure Push Across Ujjain and Nearby Districts
Large-scale development works are being implemented across multiple districts including:
- Ujjain
- Indore
- Dewas
- Khandwa
- Agar Malwa
- Shajapur
- Mandsaur
- Khargone
These districts are part of the broader Simhastha development corridor aimed at improving connectivity, logistics, and pilgrim services.
Major Projects Approved for Ujjain
Several key infrastructure projects were cleared for Ujjain, including:
- ₹30 crore bridge and approach road from Shani Temple to Prashanti Dham Chowk
- ₹12 crore parallel bridge over Kanha River on Tapobhumi–Pipliyaraghav Panchkroshi route
- ₹30 crore two-lane road (5.5 km) from Tapobhumi to Gangedi via Raghopiplya
- ₹18 crore four-lane Panchkroshi road from Dewas Road to Garoth route
- ₹2.36 crore PWD rest house on Dewas Road
- Expansion and renovation of PWD circuit house
- ₹13.28 crore road from Lekoda to Tankariya railway station
- ₹36.75 crore road widening project near Kushabhau Thakre Marg
These works aim to improve pilgrim movement and urban connectivity during Simhastha.
Omkareshwar Development Projects and Helipad Plan
Major infrastructure upgrades were also approved for Omkareshwar, including:
- ₹160 crore redevelopment of Omkareshwar temple complex
- ₹24.99 crore multi-level parking, food court, toilets, and admin block
- ₹9.23 crore railway overbridge on Omkareshwar–Sanawad road
- ₹12.63 crore CC road construction in municipal area
- ₹4.74 crore hospital and staff quarters
- ₹38 crore three-storey Kubera Bhandari parking facility
- ₹12.68 crore hospital upgrade works
The Chief Minister also directed the construction of a helipad at Omkareshwar, which will support emergency services and air ambulance operations.
Coordination Authority for Omkareshwar–Badwah Region
The government has proposed a separate development authority for Omkareshwar, Badwah, and nearby Khedi Ghat areas. This is expected to:
- Improve coordination of infrastructure projects
- Speed up execution across Khandwa and Khargone districts
- Develop alternative routes to Omkareshwar for better accessibility
Riverfront Development and Crowd Management Strategy
Special focus has been given to the development of the Shipra River ghats in Ujjain. The government plans:
- Phase-wise completion of ghats
- Integrated parking and access roads
- Integration of nearby ashrams and gurukuls into ghat management
- Long-term sustainable use of infrastructure post-Simhastha
Authorities will also establish a central control room for coordinated security and crowd management involving police, administration, and municipal bodies.
Environmental and Urban Development Initiatives
The state has set a target of planting 15 lakh trees in the Ujjain region, particularly along the Panchkroshi route.
Other initiatives include:
- Large-scale road decongestion and encroachment removal
- Uniform action against illegal constructions
- Immediate compensation mechanisms for affected residents
- Development of green infrastructure and shaded public spaces
Pilgrim Facilities, Private Participation and Tourism Boost
The government plans to enhance pilgrim services through public-private partnerships, focusing on:
- Drinking water and sanitation facilities
- Parking and accommodation infrastructure
- Hotels, dharamshalas, and homestay expansion
- Temple area amenities like footwear storage and drinking water points
Fast-track approvals for hotel and hospitality projects in the Indore–Ujjain region have also been directed to support expected pilgrim inflow.
Training, Safety and Disaster Management
CM Dr. Mohan Yadav emphasized:
- Training youth in disaster management
- Crowd safety and emergency response preparedness
- Regular drills for police, municipal and administrative teams
- Use of modern surveillance and monitoring systems
- Strengthening medical and ambulance networks
With massive investments and multi-district coordination, Madhya Pradesh is accelerating preparations for Simhastha 2028, aiming to create a world-class spiritual and infrastructure experience in Ujjain and surrounding regions. The focus remains on connectivity, safety, sustainability, and pilgrim convenience.
