Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Madhya Pradesh Approves ₹600 Crore For High-Tech Simhastha Security
Madhya Pradesh is preparing for a very large religious gathering called Simhastha in Ujjain.
Officials expect nearly 30 crore people to attend, and police estimate the number could be even higher.
The government has approved ₹600 crore for security preparations.
Police will use the money to buy drones, cameras, bomb-disposal equipment and other technology.
They also want tools to help prevent online scams.
This concern grew after devotees were reportedly cheated during the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj.
Police will also put up barricades around Ujjain.
The Urban Development Department will create a command centre to coordinate the arrangements.
A senior secretaries’ committee approved ₹600 crore for Simhastha security equipment.
The police plan to buy bomb-disposal tools, body cameras, drones, modern vehicles and facial-identification equipment.
Officials expect nearly 30 crore visitors, while police estimates put attendance above 30 crore.
Police will handle barricading this time instead of the Public Works Department.
The Urban Development Department will establish the modern command centre and transfer funds to police through its nodal-agency role.
- Who
- The Madhya Pradesh government, police department and Urban Development Department.
- What
- The government approved ₹600 crore for high-tech security preparations for Simhastha.
- When
- During preparations for the upcoming Simhastha; the article does not specify dates.
- Where
- Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.
- Why
- Officials expect more than 30 crore visitors and want to address crowd, physical-security and cyber-fraud risks.
- Approved funding
- ₹600 crore
- Funding recipient
- Madhya Pradesh Police Department
- Funding channel
- The Urban Development Department, serving as Simhastha’s nodal agency
- Expected attendance
- Nearly 30 crore visitors; police estimate attendance could exceed 30 crore
- Planned technology
- Bomb-disposal gadgets, body-worn cameras, modern vehicles, drones, facial-identification equipment and cybersecurity apparatus
- Barricading responsibility
- The police department will handle barricading instead of the Public Works Department
- Command centre
- The Urban Development Department will establish a modern command centre