Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Chavan Questions ₹35,000-Crore Nashik Kumbh Plan and Project Report
Prithviraj Chavan questioned a plan to spend ₹35,000 crore on the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027.
He said the earlier Kumbh Mela cost about ₹3,000–₹3,500 crore.
The government expects six crore people to attend, but Chavan said only about 40 lakh devotees attended the previous event.
He asked whether Nashik can safely handle so many visitors.
He also asked whether there will be enough toilets and other basic facilities.
Chavan wants to know how waste will be managed, especially near the Godavari River.
He said a proper project report and environmental study should be made public.
He plans to ask officials for the report and wants experts to examine the plans.
He also criticised some major road projects and local political leaders.
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan questioned the proposed ₹35,000-crore budget for the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027.
Chavan compared the proposal with approximately ₹3,000–₹3,500 crore spent on the previous Kumbh Mela.
He questioned the government’s projection of six crore visitors, noting that around 40 lakh devotees attended the previous event.
Chavan said authorities had not visibly prepared a project report or adequately assessed infrastructure capacity, civic amenities, waste management and environmental effects.
He said he would seek the report from senior officials and called for an open review involving Congress representatives and experts; he also criticised related infrastructure projects and local ministerial management.
- Who
- Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan questioned the state government’s Kumbh Mela plans; the Urban Development Department and other authorities are involved in preparing them.
- What
- Chavan challenged the proposed ₹35,000-crore expenditure, the six-crore attendance estimate and the reported absence of a detailed project report.
- When
- Chavan made the remarks during media interactions reported on Thursday and Friday; the year of the interactions was not specified.
- Where
- Nashik and the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar area of Maharashtra, including the Godavari River and proposed Kumbh-related infrastructure.
- Why
- He cited the sharp increase from previous spending, uncertainty over attendance, and concerns about carrying capacity, civic amenities, waste disposal and environmental impacts.
Chavan’s Criticism
Government’s Proposed Plan
Scale of expenditure
Chavan’s Criticism
Chavan said the rise from roughly ₹3,000–₹3,500 crore to ₹35,000 crore lacked a visible justification and alleged that the spending could benefit contractors and subcontractors.
Government’s Proposed Plan
The state government has proposed a ₹35,000-crore allocation for Kumbh-related facilities and infrastructure.
Expected attendance
Chavan’s Criticism
Chavan questioned the estimate of six crore visitors, noting that around 40 lakh devotees attended the previous Kumbh and asking whether Nashik could bear the projected burden.
Government’s Proposed Plan
The government is planning on the basis of an expected attendance of six crore people; the articles do not provide a detailed explanation of how this estimate was calculated.
Project assessment
Chavan’s Criticism
Chavan said there was no visible proper project report or adequate assessment of carrying capacity, civic facilities, waste disposal and environmental effects, and called for an expert review.
Government’s Proposed Plan
The Urban Development Department and other authorities are involved in planning, but the articles do not report a detailed government response to Chavan’s criticisms.
- Event
- Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027
- Proposed expenditure
- ₹35,000 crore
- Previous expenditure cited
- Approximately ₹3,000–₹3,500 crore
- Government attendance projection
- Six crore people
- Previous attendance cited
- Approximately 40 lakh devotees
- Requested documentation
- A detailed project report
- Concerns raised
- Infrastructure capacity, toilets and civic amenities, waste management, environmental effects and public spending
