The Maharashtra state government on Friday approved a substantial fund of Rs 2,267 crore for acquiring 191.2 acres of land to develop Sadhugram at Tapovan in Nashik. This marks a significant step forward in the preparations for the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela.
Government Resolution Formalizes Approval
The urban development department issued a government resolution (GR) formalizing the approval of a proposal submitted by the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) in December last year through the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority (NTKMA). This approval came after clearance was granted by a high-level state committee led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on May 13.
Sadhugram: The Designated Settlement for Sadhus
Sadhugram is the designated settlement area for sadhus during the Kumbh Mela. Of the 377 acres identified as a no-development zone for this purpose, 94 acres are already with the NMC, while the remaining land is yet to be acquired. The civic body plans to procure around 191 acres through direct purchase by negotiating with landowners under the district-level compensation rate determination committee.
A meeting of this committee, chaired by the Nashik district collector, was held on March 4, 2026, to finalize compensation rates. According to the GR, differences between rates proposed by NMC and those outlined in the revenue and forest department guidelines will be resolved before final approval.
Funds to Be Released as Needed
Officials had earlier indicated that about Rs 2,267 crore would be needed for the acquisition. The government has now sanctioned this amount, which will be released to the NTKMA as required. Authorities are planning a major expansion of Sadhugram for the upcoming Kumbh, with the overall development expected to span nearly 1,450 acres. Around 1,150 acres will be temporarily requisitioned to accommodate the anticipated surge in the number of sadhus.
Projected Increase in Sadhu Attendance
The expansion is driven by projections that more than 10 lakh sadhus may attend the next Kumbh, compared to around 2.5 lakh in 2015, when Sadhugram covered nearly 350 acres. Officials emphasized that timely land acquisition is crucial to ensure adequate infrastructure and facilities for the large-scale religious gathering.
