Simhastha Kumbh 2028: ₹25,000 crore approved as 40 crore devotees eye Ujjain
Synopsis
Madhya Pradesh has committed more than ₹25,000 crore to remake Ujjain ahead of Simhastha 2028 — one of the largest single-event infrastructure outlays in the state's history. With 40 crore devotees expected, the scale rivals national-level projects: six-lane highways, a 200 MLD water plant, 22 new bridges, and a 3,000-hectare parking grid. The preparations will reshape central MP's urban landscape long after the congregation ends.
Key Takeaways
The Madhya Pradesh government has approved more than ₹25,000 crore in development works for Simhastha Mahaparv 2028 in Ujjain .
More than 40 crore devotees are expected to attend the religious congregation.
Key projects include the ₹919 crore Kanh Closed Duct Diversion and the Silarkhedi–Sevarkhedi Project to protect the Shipra River .
Road investments include three major highway corridors totalling over ₹9,600 crore , plus 22 new bridges and 5 railway over-bridges .
A ₹1,133 crore water augmentation scheme will deliver a 200 MLD treatment plant and nearly 49,000 new drinking water connections .
Union Minister Manohar Lal and Chief Minister Mohan Yadav chaired a high-level review meeting in Ujjain on 19 June .
The Madhya Pradesh government has approved development works worth more than ₹25,000 crore for Simhastha Mahaparv 2028 in Ujjain, with over 40 crore devotees expected to attend the religious congregation. The scale of preparation, described by officials as a 'war footing' mobilisation, spans infrastructure, sanitation, water supply, transport, and urban development across multiple districts.
Key Infrastructure Projects
Among the flagship works is the ₹919 crore Kanh Closed Duct Diversion project, designed to prevent polluted water from entering the river and safeguard the sanctity of the Shipra River. New and upgraded ghats are being built at a cost of ₹120 crore to accommodate more than 4 crore devotees seeking a holy dip within a single 24-hour period. A 29-km project valued at ₹778 crore is also under way as part of the riverfront overhaul.
Road and Connectivity Push
Several major road corridors are being developed to handle the anticipated surge in pilgrims. These include the Ujjain–Indore six-lane highway at ₹1,692 crore, the Indore–Ujjain greenfield four-lane corridor at ₹2,935 crore, and the Ujjain–Jaora four-lane highway at ₹5,017 crore. Additionally, 22 new bridges, 5 railway over-bridges, and 17 river bridges are under construction. Parking infrastructure spanning more than 3,000 hectares across 30 sectors is also planned, with facilities extending to neighbouring districts.
Water Supply and Sanitation
Under the Ujjain City Water Augmentation Scheme, a 200 MLD water treatment plant, more than 700 km of pipeline network, 17 new overhead tanks, and nearly 49,000 new drinking water connections are being developed at a cost of ₹1,133 crore. The Silarkhedi–Sevarkhedi Project is also under way to further ensure the purity of the Shipra River ahead of the event.
What the Government Said
Union Minister for Power, Urban Development and Housing Manohar Lal chaired a high-level review meeting at the Collector's office in Ujjain, directing officials to prioritise sanitation, drinking water, food, security, transport, and health services. During the review of the Swachh Bharat Mission, he stressed effective solid and liquid waste management, wastewater recycling, and improved monitoring, while calling for stronger public awareness campaigns across the state's 16 Smart Cities.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who attended the meeting, affirmed that no effort would be spared to make Simhastha 2028 a historic event. 'Clean water will be provided to devotees for the holy dip,' he said.
Broader Urban Impact
Officials noted that the Simhastha preparations are accelerating wider urban and regional development in central Madhya Pradesh. The coordinated investment in roads, water, and sanitation infrastructure is expected to leave a lasting legacy beyond the religious event itself. With the congregation scheduled for 2028, the state has set a multi-year execution timeline to ensure all works are completed well ahead of the first major bathing dates.
Point of View
000 crore outlay for a single religious event is extraordinary even by national standards — and the political calculus is as visible as the infrastructure. Simhastha is a once-in-12-years opportunity for the ruling dispensation in Madhya Pradesh to demonstrate governance at scale, and the BJP has historically used Kumbh-class events to consolidate Hindu consolidation narratives ahead of electoral cycles. The harder question is execution: multi-district mega-projects in MP have a mixed record on timelines and cost overruns. With 2028 leaving a narrow window, the state will need to sustain this pace of spending and coordination without the usual slippage. Whether the Shipra actually runs clean by the first snan — and whether 40 crore arrivals find the promised infrastructure in place — will be the real verdict on this ambition.
NationPress
4 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Simhastha Kumbh 2028 and where will it be held?
Simhastha Mahaparv 2028 is a major Hindu religious congregation held once every 12 years on the banks of the Shipra River in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, with more than 40 crore devotees expected to attend the 2028 edition.
How much is Madhya Pradesh spending on Simhastha 2028 preparations?
The Madhya Pradesh government has approved development works worth more than ₹25,000 crore for Simhastha 2028. Spending spans road infrastructure, river clean-up, water supply, ghats, bridges, and sanitation projects across multiple districts.
What are the key infrastructure projects being built for Simhastha 2028?
Key projects include the ₹919 crore Kanh Closed Duct Diversion to protect the Shipra River, three major highway corridors including the ₹5,017 crore Ujjain–Jaora four-lane, a ₹1,133 crore water augmentation scheme, 22 new bridges, 5 railway over-bridges, and a 3,000-hectare parking grid across 30 sectors.
Who reviewed the Simhastha 2028 preparations?
Union Minister for Power, Urban Development and Housing Manohar Lal chaired a high-level review meeting at the Collector's office in Ujjain on 19 June. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav also attended and reaffirmed the government's commitment to delivering a world-class event.
How will the Shipra River be kept clean for Simhastha 2028?
The government is implementing the Kanh Closed Duct Diversion Project to prevent polluted water from entering the river, alongside the Silarkhedi–Sevarkhedi Project. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has specifically pledged that clean water will be available for devotees' holy dip.
