Simhastha 2028: MP CM Mohan Yadav demolishes part of ancestral Ujjain home for road widening
Synopsis
In a striking act of political symbolism, Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav personally swung a pickaxe at his own grandfather's 1974-built home in Ujjain — because 2.90 metres of it stands in the way of Simhastha 2028 road-widening. With 40 crore visitors expected and 272 buildings marked for demolition, the Chief Minister is using his own childhood home to set the tone for one of India's biggest infrastructure pushes before a mega Kumbh.
Key Takeaways
Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav personally demolished a portion of his ancestral home in Ujjain's Abdalpura on 27 September 2026 for Simhastha 2028 road-widening.
Approximately 2.90 metres of the home — built by his grandfather Ramchandra Yadav in 1974 — falls within the project alignment.
His sister, Kalawati Yadav , Chairperson of the Ujjain Municipal Corporation , has about 3.8 metres of her adjoining property affected.
The road-widening covers a 730-metre stretch from Khajur Wali Masjid to Ganesh Chowk , widened to 15 metres at an estimated cost of ₹9.80 crore .
A total of 272 buildings have been identified across the corridor; Ujjain expects nearly 40 crore visitors during Simhastha Mahaparv 2028 .
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Sunday, 27 September 2026, personally swung a pickaxe — locally called a gainti — at a portion of his ancestral home in Abdalpura, Ujjain, symbolically launching development work tied to Simhastha 2028. The gesture, laden with personal significance, was aimed at signalling to residents across the city that no property — including that of the Chief Minister himself — is exempt from the urban transformation drive ahead of the massive religious congregation.
What Was Demolished and Why
Approximately 2.90 metres of the Yadav family home — originally built by his grandfather Ramchandra Yadav in 1974 — falls within the alignment of a road-widening project in the Abdalpura area. The Chief Minister's sister, Kalawati Yadav, Chairperson of the Ujjain Municipal Corporation, has an adjoining property with roughly 3.8 metres affected by the same project.
Before wielding the pickaxe, CM Yadav performed traditional prayers outside the house — a structure tied to his birthplace and childhood memories. The emotional weight of the moment was not lost on him.
CM Yadav's Words: Sacrifice for the Greater Good
'It is natural to feel emotional when one has to demolish the house where one was born, grew up and played. But if it is necessary for Simhastha, this sacrifice for development must be made,' Mohan Yadav said at the site.
He added that the entire nation is watching how residents are voluntarily stepping back their properties for the convenience of others. The Chief Minister also cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi as an exemplary figure who 'rises above personal interests and prioritises rules, laws and good governance.'
Scale of the Road-Widening Project
The specific stretch under work covers 730 metres from Khajur Wali Masjid to Ganesh Chowk, which will be widened to a uniform 15 metres at an estimated cost of ₹9.80 crore. A total of 272 buildings have been identified for demolition or setback across this corridor.
Notably, CM Yadav highlighted that members of Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian and Parsi communities have voluntarily set back even places of worship. 'This builds trust in the government and reflects the true spirit of Ujjain,' he said.
The Simhastha 2028 Backdrop
Ujjain, a city of roughly eight lakh residents, is preparing to host an estimated 40 crore visitors during the Simhastha Mahaparv in 2028. The Simhastha — also known as the Kumbh Mela held at Ujjain — is one of the largest religious gatherings on earth, drawing pilgrims from across India and abroad. Infrastructure upgrades encompassing roads, traffic systems, and civic amenities are being fast-tracked to accommodate the projected influx.
With preparations now visibly underway at the highest political level, all eyes will be on how swiftly the 272-building demolition drive concludes and whether the city's broader infrastructure overhaul stays on schedule for 2028.
Point of View
And every delay in land acquisition risks the 2028 deadline. The multi-faith cooperation Yadav highlighted — temples, mosques and gurudwaras all setting back voluntarily — is the more under-reported story here, and could serve as a template for future urban projects. The real accountability question, however, is whether the ₹9.80 crore project and the 272-building demolition drive stay on schedule, or whether Simhastha 2028 joins the long list of Indian mega-events where infrastructure promises outran delivery.
NationPress
27 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav demolish part of his ancestral home?
CM Mohan Yadav demolished approximately 2.90 metres of his grandfather's 1974-built home in Ujjain's Abdalpura because that portion falls within a road-widening project being executed as part of Simhastha 2028 preparations. The act was intended to signal that no property — including the Chief Minister's own — is exempt from the development drive.
What is Simhastha 2028 and why is Ujjain upgrading its infrastructure?
Simhastha — also known as the Kumbh Mela held at Ujjain — is one of the world's largest religious gatherings, and the 2028 edition is expected to draw nearly 40 crore visitors to a city of roughly eight lakh residents. Ujjain is undertaking large-scale road widening, traffic upgrades, and civic improvements to handle the projected influx.
What is the scope of the road-widening project linked to this demolition?
The project covers a 730-metre stretch from Khajur Wali Masjid to Ganesh Chowk, which will be widened to a uniform 15 metres at an estimated cost of ₹9.80 crore. A total of 272 buildings have been identified for demolition or setback along the corridor.
Who else in CM Yadav's family is affected by the project?
His sister, Kalawati Yadav, who serves as Chairperson of the Ujjain Municipal Corporation, has approximately 3.8 metres of her adjoining property affected by the same road-widening alignment.
Have communities other than Hindus cooperated with the Ujjain demolition drive?
Yes. CM Yadav noted that members of Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian and Parsi communities have voluntarily set back even places of worship as part of the project. He described this cross-community cooperation as reflecting the 'true spirit of Ujjain' and as a sign of public trust in the government.
