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Ujjain’s Simhastha 2028 Makeover Sparks Protests and Urgency
Ujjain is getting ready for a very large religious gathering called Simhastha in 2028.
The government is building and improving roads, bridges, riverfront bathing areas, and other services.
Officials say they are preparing for the possibility of about 40 crore visitors.
Some projects require parts of buildings to be removed to make roads wider.
Some residents have removed parts of their own homes or shops, while others have protested.
Residents quoted in the article say they want more say in the plans and fair compensation.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has also begun removing part of his family’s ancestral home where it lies in a road’s path.
Officials say the new infrastructure is intended to help Ujjain after the gathering as well.
The work is happening quickly, with deadlines approaching before 2028.
Madhya Pradesh has approved 128 Simhastha-related projects worth about Rs 13,851 crore across 10 departments.
Roads, bridges, rail links, water and sewerage networks, and about 29.2 km of new ghats are being developed ahead of the 2028 gathering.
Officials are planning for the possibility of around 40 crore visitors and say more than 80 percent of road and connectivity works have reached the ground.
Road-widening plans have led residents, including Hindu and Muslim families, to remove parts of homes, shops, and religious structures.
Some residents support making space for pilgrims but say authorities have not adequately consulted or compensated affected people.
- Who
- The Madhya Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, is overseeing preparations; Ujjain residents are affected by the construction.
- What
- A major infrastructure programme is reshaping Ujjain ahead of Simhastha 2028.
- Where
- Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India, including areas along the Shipra River.
- When
- Ahead of Simhastha Mela 2028; the article describes events on September 27 and several projects targeted for completion by December 2027.
- Why
- Officials are preparing for the possibility of around 40 crore visitors and aiming to improve pilgrim movement and infrastructure.
Residents’ concerns
Officials’ rationale
Road widening and demolition
Residents’ concerns
Some residents said they understood the need for space for pilgrims but felt authorities had not adequately consulted them; one resident also called for adequate compensation.
Officials’ rationale
Officials say road and connectivity works are part of preparations for a gathering that could bring around 40 crore people, and are being built to serve the city beyond the festival.
Speed of construction
Residents’ concerns
A resident welcomed road widening but criticized how quickly the administration proceeded and said people preferred to remove marked portions themselves rather than wait for bulldozers.
Officials’ rationale
Officials describe the schedule as urgent and say coordinated planning, manpower, machinery, and precast construction methods are helping projects proceed on time.
Key facts
- Approved projects
- 128 projects across 10 departments
- Approved spending
- About Rs 13,851 crore
- Expected visitors
- Officials are preparing for the possibility of around 40 crore people
- New ghats
- Approximately 29.2 km, with associated works; project cost about Rs 778 crore
- Kanh diversion scheme
- Rs 919.94 crore for a 30.15-km closed-duct diversion system intended to keep polluted Kanh River water from entering the Shipra
- Ujjain-Jaora corridor
- A 98.73-km greenfield four-lane corridor costing about Rs 5,017 crore, targeted for completion by December 2027
- Reported road progress
- Officials said more than 80 percent of road and connectivity works had reached the ground, with the road component around 70 percent complete
Quotes
Jagdish Aggarwal
Director of the Simhastha Mela Authority.
“When the houses were marked in my neighbourhood, both Hindu and Muslim families came out and demolished portions of the houses ourselves. But the administration barely took us into confidence. It’s better to demolish on your own than wait for the administration to come with a bulldozer.”
indianexpress.com
“We are doing it for the Simhastha. Of course, we understand the devotees need space to move. But we should be adequately compensated. We feel the authorities don’t listen to us.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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