Ujjain: The Government of Madhya Pradesh is accelerating large-scale preparations for the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2028, envisioned as a grand, divine and spiritually transformative global religious gathering. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav stated that the event will reflect India’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage on a world stage.
Calling Simhastha the “largest religious fair in the world,” the Chief Minister emphasized a vision of a “clean and healthy Simhastha” while addressing a major training workshop titled “Lessons from Simhastha 2016 and Resolution for 2028” held in Ujjain.
40 Crore Devotees Expected; Massive Daily Ritual Capacity Planned
The state government has projected an unprecedented turnout of nearly 40 crore devotees during Simhastha 2028.
Key arrangements include:
- Around 4 crore devotees per day expected to participate in the holy “Amrit Snan”
- Expanded ghats along the sacred Shipra River for large-scale bathing rituals
- Infrastructure designed to manage continuous crowd flow and safety
Officials emphasized that crowd management, emergency response, and safety systems are top priorities for the mega event.
₹853.46 Crore Investment in 22 New Bridges Over Shipra River
To improve mobility and reduce congestion, the government is constructing:
- 22 new bridges across the Shipra River
- Total investment: ₹853.46 crore
- 17 river bridges
- 5 railway overbridges
- Upgradation of existing bridge infrastructure
These developments aim to ensure smooth traffic movement during peak pilgrimage days.
₹25,000 Crore Infrastructure Development Across Ujjain Region
A large-scale infrastructure push worth ₹25,000 crore is underway across Ujjain and nearby districts.
Major components include:
- Expansion and modernization of roads and highways
- Urban infrastructure upgrades in pilgrimage zones
- Development of accommodation and civic facilities
- Water supply enhancement projects
The government stated that these initiatives will restore the historical grandeur of Ujjain and support long-term religious tourism.
Advanced Digital Command Center for Crowd Management
A ₹139 crore central digital command system is being developed for real-time monitoring during Simhastha.
Features include:
- AI-based crowd management systems
- Integrated CCTV surveillance across the city and mela areas
- Real-time traffic control and emergency response coordination
This system is intended to enhance safety and operational efficiency during peak pilgrimage periods.
Massive Road and Rail Connectivity Expansion
The state is upgrading connectivity across multiple routes:
Road Projects
- ₹1,692 crore Ujjain–Indore 6-lane highway nearly complete
- ₹5,017 crore Ujjain–Javra route development
- ₹2,935 crore Ujjain–Indore greenfield corridor
- ₹2,523 crore Ujjain–Jhalawar expansion to four-lane highway
- ₹2,660 crore Ujjain–Garoth route improvement
Rail Infrastructure
- 236 special trains planned during Simhastha
- Upgradation of 7 railway stations including Ujjain Railway Station and surrounding stations
- Improved connectivity reducing dependency on congestion-prone routes
New Airport and Helipad Development
To improve air connectivity:
- A new airport is being developed on approximately 457 acres near Ujjain–Dewas Road
- Construction of 4 modern helipads in Sadawal
- Enhanced air connectivity for national and international pilgrims
Development of Shipra Ghats and Water Management Projects
Significant riverfront development includes:
- ₹778 crore investment for 29 km of new ghats
- ₹120 crore for upgrading existing 7.8 km of permanent ghats
- Water availability ensured through Sevarkhedi–Silarakhedi water project
These upgrades aim to ensure continuous, clean and safe bathing access for devotees.
Leadership Vision: Cultural and Spiritual Revival
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav highlighted that Simhastha is not just an event but a spiritual convergence of faith, tradition and heritage.
He emphasized:
- “Clean Simhastha, Healthy Simhastha” as the guiding principle
- Security and crowd safety as top priorities
- Team-based governance involving officials, volunteers, and public representatives
- Integration of lessons from past Simhastha events, including 2016
Training Workshop Highlights and Administrative Coordination
The workshop included:
- Administrative, police, health, and municipal officials
- Retired officers with past Simhastha experience
- Discussions on crowd control, safety planning, and logistics
Officials confirmed that multiple coordination committees will be formed to streamline execution of Simhastha 2028 preparations.
With massive infrastructure expansion, advanced digital monitoring systems, and large-scale connectivity upgrades, Simhastha 2028 in Ujjain is being planned as one of the largest and most organized religious gatherings in the world. The government’s focus remains on safety, accessibility, and spiritual experience for millions of devotees expected to arrive.
