The Madhya Pradesh government is racing to prepare for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2028 in Ujjain. In April 2025 officials confirmed the mela will run March 27 – May 27, 2028, featuring 3 Shahi (Amrit) Snans and 7 Parva Snans (major bathing days) between April 9 and May 8. This 60‑day festival is expected to draw an unprecedented crowd – roughly 14 crore (140 million) pilgrims.
The expanded schedule (twice as long as the last Simhastha) has prompted a massive development and security push. Officials have outlined 102 infrastructure projects totaling ₹15,751 crore for Simhastha, including ₹5,133 crore for 75 high-priority works to be fast-tracked under a special “Simhastha Fund”.
Pilgrims gather on the ghats of the Shipra River during a Kumbh festival (similar to Simhastha). Authorities are expanding riverfront ghats and infrastructure to handle millions of devotees.
Major Milestones & Approvals (2023–2025)
- Mar 2024: CM Mohan Yadav chaired the first cabinet meeting on Simhastha preparations. He directed that Ujjain–Indore be developed as a “religious-spiritual circuit” and ordered a review of all plans.
- Dec 2024: The state Cabinet approved key projects: a 29.21 km riverside walkway with new ghats (Rs. 771 cr) and exclusive ghats for saints, to improve access along the Shipra. It also greenlit major road projects, including a 4‑lane highway Ujjain–Indore (Rs. 2,312 cr), an Indore–Ujjain Greenfield corridor (Rs. 1,370 cr) and an Indore–Depalpur road (Rs. 239 cr). In mid-Dec, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda joined CM Yadav in Ujjain to review Simhastha plans; they reaffirmed that by 2028 the Shipra will be fully cleaned so pilgrims have “pure water… to take a holy dip”.
- Jan–Feb 2025: ACS Rajesh Rajoura (Urban Dev.) chaired disaster-management drills at Ujjain collectorate (Feb 2, 2025). He ordered that on “Shahi Snan” days maximum emergency response be ≤15 minutes, and mandated extensive mock drills, fire-suppression pipelines, dedicated fire-lanes and trauma centres across the mela area. He also confirmed that 42,000 police and security personnel will be deployed in Simhastha, with new police posts at key sites.
- Mar 7, 2025: The State Cabinet formally approved Town Planning Schemes (TPS) 8–11 covering 2,378 ha of the mela area. (This was part of a plan to develop a permanent “Kumbh City” via land pooling.) In the 2025–26 State Budget (Mar 12, 2025) a dedicated Rs. 2,005 crore allocation was made for Simhastha-specific infrastructure (over and above regular urban development funds).
- Jun 14, 2025: MP DGP Kailash Makwana held a tech-planning session (Bhopal) with UP Police advisors on crowd control. He announced MP Police will deploy advanced AI and surveillance: “AI-enabled traffic systems, drone surveillance, facial recognition, cyber-threat monitoring…” will be used to “manage Simhastha 2028 with precision”. Features like GPS-tracked pilgrim shuttles, route-guidance apps, and biometric registration were also discussed for crowd management.
- Aug 27, 2025: CM Yadav’s cabinet approved the DPR preparation for a Ujjain–Indore–Pithampur Metro. In Phase 1 it will link Mahakaleshwar (Ujjain) to Luv Kush Square (Indore); DMRC was hired for the DPR at ₹9 lakh/km. This will further integrate Ujjain–Indore transport in time for Simhastha.
Infrastructure & Development Projects
The government has prioritized pilgrimage-ready infrastructure: riverfront ghats, roads, utilities and amenities. Highlights include:
- Ghats & Ghats Road: A 29.21 km path along Shipra (Shani Temple to Nagda) with 53 new ghats (Rs. 771 cr) was approved. This will allow millions to bathe safely. Permanent Basalt-stone ghats are planned on both sides of Shipra, instead of temporary bamboo structures.
- Road Connectivity: In addition to the Ujjain–Indore highways (above), several feeder road projects were launched. Division Commissioner Sanjay Gupta outlined new greenfield corridors linking Rajasthan/Gujarat and an upgraded Indore–Ujjain link to handle tourist traffic. (A future Ujjain bypass and Indore airport-connectivity via NH roads are in planning.)
- Water Management: Major projects on tributaries are underway to keep Shipra clean. The Kanh Diversion project (barrage on Kanh River) and Sewarkhedi–Silarkhedi works will prevent polluted water entering Shipra. These dams/channels (total 30 km) are on track for completion before Simhastha.
- Ashrams & Dharamshalas: The state announced development of ashrams and dharamshalas for sadhus on the model of Haridwar’s facilities, recognizing that Akharas and saints are key stakeholders in Simhastha. Special amenities (sanitized sleeping tents, bathrooms, medical camp) are being planned in collaboration with religious committees.
- Technology & Surveillance: Besides AI systems, MP Police is rolling out an e-Vigilance app and CCTV network. Officials plan thousands of CCTV cameras, GPS tracking of ambulances, and drones monitoring crowd movement in real-time. The Home Dept. has purchased tablets (Rs. 75 cr) for police use in Simhastha coordination.
Security, Training & Crowd Management
Police and disaster teams have intensified drills and training:
- Mass Training (Nov 2024): CM Mohan Yadav inaugurated a massive “Disaster-free Simhastha” training program (Nov 21, 2024) at the Ujjain Police Lines (Sarovar). Some 18,000 personnel (police, SDRF, Home Guards and volunteer staff) began specialized training in crowd management, river rescue, medical aid and emergency response. Yadav personally reviewed diving and rescue equipment during the event, underscoring the priority on safety.
- Regular Drills: District and state agencies (police, fire, health, NDRF/SDRF) are conducting regular mock drills simulating stampedes, floods and fire. For example, Rajoura’s Feb 2025 review mandated mock emergency exercises in the city. Railway and traffic departments are coordinating to ensure rapid evacuation routes. Special command-and-control centers will operate 24×7 during Shahi Snan days.
- Crowd Forecasting: Based on the Prayagraj Kumbh model, MP Police is using data analytics to predict peak crowds. They plan GPS-tracked pilgrim bus routes and “Seva Kendras” (help booths) for lost pilgrims. By simulating scenarios from the 2019 Prayagraj Mela, planners have set a guideline of ≤15 min response time for any incident during peak bathing days.
Ujjain–Indore Regional Growth
Simhastha has spurred wider regional development in the Ujjain–Indore division:
- Religious–Tourism Circuit: CM Yadav has directed that Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar and other temples be linked as a “spiritual circuit.” Enhanced connectivity (roads, AVM) will bring domestic and foreign pilgrims. Part of this includes the Greenfield highway and metro above.
- Metro Rail: The planned Indore–Ujjain Metro (Mahakaleshwar to Indore) will serve pilgrims year-round. The Cabinet’s Aug 2025 approval for the DPR (detailed project report) is the first step. Work on this 47 km corridor (with future extension to Pithampur) is expected to start by late 2025.
- Airport and Hotels: With Simhastha’s global profile, authorities are expanding hotel capacity in Ujjain and promoting nearby airports (Indore) for charter flights. Proposals include home-stays in villages around Ujjain to accommodate visitors. The entire Ujjain municipal area is being upgraded (toilets, parking, waste disposal) in anticipation of up to 740 tonnes/day of waste during Simhastha.
With Simhastha set to attract millions from across India and abroad, these extensive preparations also highlight the cultural and historical depth of the Kumbh tradition, which is recognized globally for its spiritual significance and documented in ancient religious heritage records.
FAQ on Simhastha Kumbh Mela
1: When and where will Simhastha 2028 be held?
The MP government has officially fixed March 27 – May 27, 2028 for Simhastha in Ujjain. It will take place along the Shipra River ghats in Ujjain, one of India’s four Kumbh sites.
2: How many bathing days are planned?
There will be 3 main Shahi Snan (Amrit baths) between April 9 and May 8, 2028, plus 7 additional Parva Snans. In total, 10 auspicious bathing dates have been set.
3: How many devotees are expected?
Authorities estimate up to 14 crore (140 million) pilgrims could visit over the two months. For comparison, Prayagraj 2019 saw about 12 crore over 48 days; Ujjain’s expectation is even higher.
4: What is the budget and major projects for Simhastha?
The state has earmarked ₹2,005 crore (2025–26 budget) specifically for Simhastha infrastructure. Overall, 102 projects (total ~₹15,751 crore) have been approved, including riverfront ghats, roads, and utilities. Key projects: new ghats/walkway (₹771 cr), Ujjain–Indore highway expansion (₹2,312 cr), and preparations for a Ujjain–Indore metro, supported by government records on cultural preservation.
5: How are security and disasters being managed?
MP Police and disaster teams have launched extensive preparations. 18,000 security personnel (police/SDRF/Home-Guard/volunteers) are undergoing specialized training. Command centers, 24×7 control rooms, and quick-response teams are being set up. AI and drone surveillance will monitor crowds. Strict protocols (e.g. <15 min emergency response) and mock drills have been ordered to handle any stampede, fire or flood.
6: Has any plan been changed or scrapped?
Yes. In November 2025, CM Mohan Yadav rescinded the earlier “land pooling” plan for permanent Kumbh city development after protests. He instructed authorities to cancel that scheme, ensuring no permanent acquisition of farmers’ land. All other temporary arrangements (tents, ghats) will follow traditional norms.
7: Who is the point person for Simhastha preparations?
The State government has appointed Ashish Singh as the Simhastha Mela Officer. CM Mohan Yadav is personally overseeing progress, holding regular cabinet meetings and reviews. Both the CM and Union ministers (e.g. J.P. Nadda) have visited Ujjain to coordinate efforts.
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