Mumbai, Aug 7 (IANS) Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday directed all government departments to expedite infrastructure works under the Rs 34,732‑crore development plan for the upcoming Nashik Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027, stressing that delays will not be tolerated.
Chairing a review meeting in Mumbai, CM Fadnavis instructed officials to eliminate work‑deferral attitudes and execute all planned projects within designated timelines, ensuring complete transparency and quality.
Terming the current progress unsatisfactory, the Chief Minister emphasised the need for enhanced speed and inter‑departmental synergy. He announced that a follow‑up review meeting will be held in one month, where tangible and qualitative progress must be demonstrated on the ground.
The Chief Minister ordered the Nashik Municipal Commissioner to patch potholes and finish ongoing roadworks immediately. Strict penalties must be imposed on contractors who fail to meet deadlines. Mahanagar Gas Company was instructed to coordinate with the Nashik Municipal Corporation to resolve pending gas connection works without causing inconvenience to citizens.
CM Fadnavis said that priority focus should be on completing the Nashik Ring Road, establishing Sadhugram, upgrading railway stations, deploying 4,500 special State Transport (ST) buses, and setting up extensive parking networks to accommodate an estimated 12 crore devotees.
Under the Digital Kumbh framework, CM Fadnavis mandated the integration of modern technology, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) assistants (Kumbhdoot), Digital Twin modelling, smart parking management, facial recognition/missing person tracing systems, and an Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) for real‑time crowd and security management.
To ensure a clean, green, and plastic‑free event, thousands of temporary toilets, waste bins, changing rooms, and a massive sanitation workforce will be deployed. Additionally, skill development programmes will train thousands of local youth in tourism, hospitality, healthcare, and disaster management to boost employment during the mega event, said the CM.
CM Fadnavis set a firm deadline of March 2027 for the completion of all land acquisition, ring road construction, Sadhugram setup, and major civic amenities, making them fully operational by April 2027. He called upon the Central and State Governments, Indian Railways, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and local administrative bodies to work in complete alignment.
–IANS
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