Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Nashik Corporators Walk Out Over Kumbh Commissioner’s Absence
Nashik held a meeting about preparing for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela.
The meeting was meant to bring councillors and government officials together.
Commissioner Shekhar Singh was not there when the meeting started.
Some councillors became upset and left.
Singh, the Municipal Commissioner and the Mayor arrived later.
Only a few representatives then remained for the discussion.
Councillor Sudhakar Badgujar questioned why the meeting began without the commissioner.
Singh said the Municipal Corporation had called the meeting and Kumbh Authority officials had been present since 5 pm.
The disagreement showed that the agencies need better coordination before the event.
A coordination meeting on Simhastha Kumbh Mela preparations became contentious in Nashik.
Several councillors walked out after Commissioner Shekhar Singh was absent when the meeting began.
The meeting covered infrastructure, traffic, sanitation, parking and facilities for devotees.
Shekhar Singh later joined the meeting with the Municipal Commissioner and Mayor.
BJP corporator Sudhakar Badgujar challenged Singh’s explanation, intensifying concerns over inter-agency coordination.
- Who
- Nashik Municipal Corporation officials, Simhastha Kumbh Mela Authority Commissioner Shekhar Singh, the Mayor and elected councillors, including BJP corporator Sudhakar Badgujar.
- What
- A coordination meeting on Simhastha Kumbh Mela preparations became contentious, and several councillors walked out.
- When
- At the scheduled start of the meeting; Singh said Kumbh Authority officials had been present since 5 pm.
- Where
- Nashik.
- Why
- The meeting was held to coordinate preparations involving infrastructure, traffic, sanitation, parking, devotee facilities and other arrangements for the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela.
Corporators’ Position
Commissioner’s Response
Absence at the meeting
Corporators’ Position
Councillors said they attended at the scheduled time and questioned the purpose of the meeting if the concerned senior official was unavailable.
Commissioner’s Response
Shekhar Singh said the meeting had been convened by the Municipal Corporation and that Kumbh Authority officials had been present since 5 pm.
Responsibility for the disruption
Corporators’ Position
Sudhakar Badgujar rejected the explanation and asked, “What is the councillors’ fault in this?”
Commissioner’s Response
The commissioner’s explanation placed responsibility for convening the meeting with the Municipal Corporation.
Coordination needs
Corporators’ Position
Councillors stressed that elected representatives should receive due importance in coordination meetings and that local concerns must be communicated.
Commissioner’s Response
The incident underscored the need for advance communication and coordination between the Municipal Corporation and the Kumbh Authority.
- Meeting focus
- Coordination for the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela
- Main dispute
- Commissioner Shekhar Singh was absent when the meeting began
- Immediate outcome
- Several councillors expressed displeasure and walked out
- Later attendees
- Shekhar Singh, the Municipal Commissioner and the Mayor joined later
- Councillor raising the issue
- BJP corporator Sudhakar Badgujar
- Commissioner’s explanation
- The Municipal Corporation had convened the meeting, while Kumbh Authority officials had been present since 5 pm
- Preparations discussed
- Infrastructure, traffic management, sanitation, parking and facilities for devotees