Roads connecting Nashik to be upgraded before Kumbh Mela: Nitin Gadkari gives in-principle approval; DPRs in progress, funds expected for Ring Road, 6-lane Trimbakeshwar highway

MUMBAI: Considering the massive crowd of devotees and the need for traffic management during the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Nashik, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari gave in-principle approval for the development and construction of necessary road infrastructure through the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. It was decided in the meeting that Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) would be prepared soon, and funds would be allocated accordingly.Acknowledging the growing faith of devotees and increasing footfall at the Kumbh Mela, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi for support at the central level to ensure proper planning and strengthened road infrastructure. Based on this guidance, a high-level meeting was held today at the Chief Minister’s Office in Nagpur with the presence of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, the govt of Maharashtra, and senior officials from concerned departments, where these decisions were taken.The meeting was attended by Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan, Public Works Minister Shambhuraj Desai, MPs Smita Wagh, MLAs Devyani Pharande and Mangesh Chavan, Transport Ministry Secretary V. Umashankar, NHAI Chairman Santosh Yadav, Additional Chief Secretary of PWD Manisha Mhaiskar, Divisional Commissioner Praveen Gedam, Special IG Dattatray Karale, Nashik Police Commissioner Sandeep Karnik, District Collector Jalaj Sharma, and Nashik Municipal Commissioner Manisha Khatri, among others.

Nashik is connected by eight major routes, including Mumbai, Gujarat, Palghar, Pune, Ahilyanagar, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Dhule. All these roads play a crucial role during the Kumbh period. In addition, internal roads in and around Nashik that connect to national highways were also discussed in the meeting. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari gave in-principle approval to nearly all proposed roads, and it was decided that the required funds would be provided soon and the works would be completed.Chief minister Fadnavis stated that the expected surge in traffic during Kumbh would be managed effectively through an expanded road network, ensuring safer travel for devotees. Approval was granted for the Nashik Ring Road, and a decision was made to expand the Nashik–Trimbakeshwar road into a six-lane highway.To ensure smooth traffic within Nashik, a key decision was taken to enhance infrastructure at Dwarka Circle. Like Kalamboli Junction in Navi Mumbai, Dwarka Circle will be developed in two phases — one before Kumbh and the other after the event.Routes to be developed: