Review Meeting Held for Preparations Ahead of Simhastha-2028

A review meeting was held today at the Divisional Commissioner's Office to assess the progress of preparations for the Simhastha-2028, which will be held in Ujjain. The meeting was chaired by Divisional Commissioner Deepak Singh and attended by key officials, including Collector Indore Ashish Singh, IG Anurag, Municipal Corporation Commissioner Shivam Verma, CEO of Indore Development Authority RP Ahirwar, CEO of Zila Panchayat Siddharth Jain, and various other department heads. A significant portion of the meeting was conducted via Google Meet, with collectors from districts such as Dhar, Jhabua, Alirajpur, Barwani, Khardwa, Khargone, and Burhanpur joining remotely.

Ensuring Timely Completion of Key Projects

During the meeting, Divisional Commissioner Deepak Singh emphasized the need for strict adherence to timelines and quality standards for all infrastructure projects. These include vital construction work related to roads, bridges, drainage systems, rest houses, traffic parking, medical care, and fire safety. The Simhastha fair, one of the largest religious and spiritual gatherings, will take place in Ujjain in 2028, and Singh stressed the importance of ensuring that all preparatory works are completed well before the event.

Singh directed all concerned officers to focus on transparency, quality, and efficiency in carrying out the construction and maintenance works, noting that the fair would attract thousands of devotees and visitors.

Promoting Regional Tourism and Religious Sites

The meeting also discussed the inclusion of various religious and tourist spots in Indore and nearby areas that are expected to attract visitors. Devotees traveling to Ujjain for the Simhastha fair will likely visit prominent destinations like Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, Mandleshwar, Dhar Bhojshala, Rajwada, Khajrana Ganesh Temple, and Lalbagh Palace. To ensure a comfortable experience for pilgrims, it was emphasized that necessary arrangements for drinking water, shaded resting areas, toilets, and parking should be made at these locations.

Singh also highlighted the importance of Indore as a central hub for public transport, with its proximity to Ujjain (56 km away), and its role as a major shopping market. Given that a significant number of devotees will visit Indore, ensuring the availability of basic facilities such as public transport, healthcare services, and tourist amenities was considered essential.

Learning from Kumbh Mela Experience

Drawing from the successful management of the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela, Singh recommended measures to avoid congestion and ensure a smooth experience for the devotees. He suggested creating temporary traffic parking areas located several kilometers from the main fair to allow devotees on foot to move freely. Additionally, arrangements should be made to facilitate train passengers traveling to the Simhastha fair, with dedicated holding areas and temporary shelters at strategic locations. Singh also stressed the need for cleaning ghats at Maheshwar, Mandleshwar, and Omkareshwar, as well as river cleaning efforts at Kshipra, Gambhir, Mahi, Anas, Tapti, and Narmada rivers within Indore division.

Furthermore, the healthcare facilities for the fair were also addressed, with the need for mobile medical units and emergency care services. Temporary setups with doctors, nurses, and critical care units, such as oxygen and medications, were prioritized. Temporary bus stands, vehicle parking, and public rest areas were also discussed for the convenience of the visiting pilgrims.

The meeting concluded with an open discussion, where officers contributed suggestions for effective preparations ahead of the major spiritual event.