Just as the Kumbh Mela draws millions of pilgrims through years of spiritual and logistical orchestration, Nashik is gearing up for a major transformation ahead of the 2026–2028 Simhastha Kumbh Mela, one of India’s largest spiritual gatherings. Held every 12 years at Nashik-Trimbakeshwar, the Kumbh Mela will take place from October 2026 to July 2028, attracting 30–40 million pilgrims. This massive gathering is driving major real estate and infrastructure growth, with new roads, housing, and commercial projects transforming Nashik into a modern, well-planned city backed by strong public and private investment. Known as the “Wine Capital of India” Nashik is using the upcoming Kumbh Mela to accelerate its growth as a modern spiritual and commercial hub. The Maharashtra government has allocated Rs11,625 crore for infrastructure and Rs6,978 crore for development plans. A new Kumbh Mela Authority will oversee projects, while Trimbakeshwar’s upgraded status brings Rs277 crore for improvements, including AI-driven crowd control and eco-friendly initiatives like Godavari River purification. Nashik’s Rs7,500 crore infrastructure plan is driving massive upgrades ahead of the Kumbh Mela, focusing on roads, sanitation, and safety across major corridors like Gangapur Road and Pathardi Phata. Work begins in April 2025 and will finish by early 2027, backed by central, state, and NMC funding. The boom is spilling into real estate, with property prices expected to rise 40–50% in areas like Indira Nagar and Gangapur Road as developers launch new townships and commercial projects.
Key projects include:
- Bridges and River Crossings: Twenty-one new bridges are being built over the Godavari River and its tributaries, Nandini and Waldevi, to ease traffic during the Kumbh Mela. The Nashik Municipal Corporation has prioritized nine bridges, including two on the Godavari near Laxminarayan Temple and Ramwadi. Part of a Rs7,500 crore city plan, Rs46 crore has been set aside for initial work. The project, expected by March 2027, will greatly reduce congestion for millions of pilgrims.
- Road Upgrades and Ring Road: Nashik is upgrading over 200 km of roads ahead of the Kumbh Mela, including 18 major routes worth Rs990 crore and 51 key roads worth Rs3,000 crore. The 91 km Ring Road and six-lane Nashik-Trimbak Road are flagship projects. Eight highways linking major cities are also being modernized for Rs3,700 crore. With phased completion by 2027, these upgrades will boost connectivity and ease travel for millions of visitors.
- Railway Enhancements: Rail upgrades are underway at Nashik Road, Odha, and Deolali stations, adding new pit, sick, and stabling lines, along with better platforms and circulation areas. Eighteen new bridges are also planned. Funded by central allocations, the projects will be completed by 2027 to handle peak Kumbh Mela rail traffic.
- Air and Helipad Facilities: Ozar and Shirdi airports are being upgraded with more parking and landing space, along with 8–10 new helipads across Nashik, ready by mid-2027.
- Sanitation and Water Projects: New STPs at Makhmalabad and Kamatwada, 30,000 e-toilets, and Godavari cleanup efforts are part of Nashik’s Rs7,500 crore plan, with work starting soon.
- Security and Monitoring: Nashik will install 348 AI-enabled CCTVs, 1,700 loudspeakers, and 41 police posts, backed by Rs1,100 crore in security funding, all operational by 2027.
- Health and Accommodation: A new 300-bed hospital in Panchavati and upgrades adding 1,365 beds are planned, along with a Rs1,000 crore Sadhugram expansion across 250 acres.
- Public Transport and Parking: Nashik will add 500 buses, including e-buses, create seven outer parking zones, and may restrict cars during the Kumbh Mela.
- Cultural and Tourism Boost: A new religious corridor will link Trimbakeshwar to Shirdi and Vani, with Rs1,100 crore for upgrades, including commercial hubs, parking, and a convention center by 2026.
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