All Roads Leading to Nashik to Be Upgraded for Upcoming Kumbh Mela: CM Devendra Fadnavis

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari holds key meeting on highways connecting Nashik

Nagpur : Considering the massive influx of devotees expected for the upcoming Kumbh Mela in Nashik, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has given in-principle approval for the development and construction of roads required for the event. These road projects will be taken up by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. A detailed project report (DPR) will be prepared soon, and funds will be allocated accordingly, as decided in the high-level review meeting held regarding the Nashik Simhastha Kumbh Mela.

Taking note of the growing faith in the Kumbh Mela and the expected crowd surge, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi for central government assistance in strengthening road infrastructure. Following his guidance, a comprehensive meeting was held today at the Chief Minister’s office in Nagpur with the presence of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, senior officials from the Government of Maharashtra, and various departments.

Present at the meeting were Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan, PWD Minister Shivsena Rajebhosale, MP Smita Wagh, MLAs Devyani Pharande and Mangesh Chavan, MoRTH Secretary V. Umashankar, NHAI Chairman Yadav, Additional Chief Secretary (PWD) Manisha Mhaiskar, Nashik Divisional Commissioner Praveen Gedam, Special IG Dattatraya Karale, Nashik Police Commissioner Sandeep Karnik, District Collector Jalaj Sharma, Nashik Municipal Commissioner Manisha Khatri, and other senior officials.

Nashik is connected by around eight major roads, including routes from Mumbai, Gujarat, Palghar, Pune, Ahilyanagar, Sambhajinagar, and Dhule. These roads are crucial during the Kumbh period. In addition, several internal roads in Nashik district connect to national highways. The meeting focused on developing all such roads, and Union Minister Gadkari gave in-principle approval to nearly all proposed routes. The DPRs will be prepared and funds made available promptly. A firm decision was taken to complete these works in a time-bound manner.

CM Devendra Fadnavis stated that this network of widened roads will help manage the enormous traffic expected during the Kumbh, providing safer and smoother travel for devotees. The meeting also approved the Nashik Ring Road project and decided to upgrade the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar route to a six-lane road.

To ensure smooth traffic in Nashik city, especially around the Dwarka Circle area, it was decided to significantly strengthen the infrastructure there. The development of Dwarka Circle will take place in two phases, similar to Kalamboli Junction — the first phase before Kumbh and the second after.

Roads Approved for Development:

1. Ghoti – Pahine – Trimbakeshwar – Jawhar Phata
2. Dwarka Circle – Sinnar IC 21 (Samruddhi Expressway) – Nandur Shingote – Kolhar
3. Nashik to Kasara
4. Sawli Vihir (IC 20 Samruddhi Expressway) – Shirdi – Shani Shingnapur Phata (Rahuri Khurd)
5. Nashik to Dhule
6. Trimbakeshwar – Jawhar – Manor
7. Sawli Vihir – Manmad – Malegaon
8. Ghoti – Sinnar – Vavi – Shirdi
9. Shani Shingnapur Phata (Rahuri Khurd) – Ahilyanagar (Kharwandi Phata)