Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav stated that every 12 years, Simhastha brings together all Vaishnava and Shaiva saints from the diverse Sanyasi traditions within Sanatan Dharma to shape its future direction, conduct and form.
This grand Simhastha fair, dedicated to the establishment of humanity, will once again take place in 2028.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that preparations are already underway emphasizing that India will guide the world through this global event and comprehensive arrangements are being for the same.
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav highlighted that two of India’s twelve Jyotirlingas, Mahakal Jyotirlinga in Ujjain’s Mahakal Lok and Omkareshwar, draw a significant number of tourists. Renowned for Simhastha, held every 12 years in the sacred city of Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh holds a special place nationally and globally.
Dr. Yadav emphasized that Simhastha is a momentous event, not just for the state but for the entire country with a global resonance.
To accommodate the vast number of devotees and tourists attending Simhastha, new construction projects are underway along with upgrades to existing facilities.
He stressed that preparations for Simhastha must begin immediately with government departments and other organizations working in close coordination.
Dr. Yadav also underscored the importance of ensuring the Kshipra River remains pollution-free and flows with pure water at all times.
Anticipating approximately 15 crore visitors from across the world, he noted that maintaining an efficient traffic system in Ujjain will be a major challenge.
A budget of ₹5,882 crore has been sanctioned for 19 initiatives related to Simhastha 2028. This approval came during the first cabinet committee meeting chaired by Chief Minister.
The meeting approved projects from the departments of Water Resources, Urban Administration and Development, Energy, Public Works, Culture and Archaeology.
The cabinet committee approved several key projects for Simhastha 2028, including the construction of 29.21 km of ghats, budgeted at ₹778.91 crore, and a 30.15 km diversion of the Kanh River at ₹1,024.95 crore.
Additionally, a continuous water flow scheme involving the construction of the Silarkhedi-Sewarkhedi dam on the Kshipra River has been allocated ₹614.53 crore.
For water regulation, 14 proposed barrages on the Kshipra River and 11 on the Kanh River have been approved, valued at ₹74.67 crore and ₹43.51 crore, respectively.
Other approved projects include the Ujjain city sewerage project, with an allocation of ₹198 crore, a new EHV substation for ultra-high-pressure work at ₹250 crore, capacity enhancement for the high-pressure station costing ₹16.80 crore, and a 33/11 KV substation valued at ₹29.83 crore.
Additionally, ₹4.50 crore has been set aside for constructing a 33 KV line and interconnection (10 km), with ₹18.36 crore for similar works extending over 80 km, and ₹10.08 crore dedicated to underground cable work under the Omkareshwar budget.
Additional projects approved include the construction of the Shankaracharya Square to Dutt Akhara, Bhukhimata and Ujadkheda Hanuman to Ujjain-Badnagar Road allocated ₹18 crore as well as upgrades for the Khak-Chowk, Veer Savarkar Square, Gadhkalika, and Bharthari Gufa to Ranjit Hanuman Road along with a bridge over the Kshipra River, also valued at ₹18 crore.
A suspension bridge from Siddhavarkut to Kailash Khoh, along with protective works such as the access road from Omkareshwar Ghat to Siddhavarkut and a footbridge over the Kaveri River in Omkareshwar, has also been approved.
Additionally, the expansion of the existing Indore-Ujjain 4-lane road to a 6-lane highway with paved shoulders under the hybrid annuity model is funded at ₹1,692 crore, while the Indore-Ujjain Greenfield 4-lane project under the same model receives ₹950 crore.
The transformation of fiber statues to stone statues in Mahakal Lok Corridor, with an allocation of ₹75 crore, and the establishment of the Kumbh Museum along with research and development for the Time Calculation Research Centre in Ujjain are also included in the approved projects.
Proposals for 568 works received for Simhastha
Additional Chief Secretary of Urban Administration and Housing, Neeraj Mandloi, reported that, to date, proposals have been received for 568 projects across 18 departments for Simhastha 2028, with an estimated total cost of ₹15,567 crore.
These projects encompass departmental tasks, Simhastha-specific items, BOT initiatives, and more.
The Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation further announced that the survey for a new metro line connecting Indore’s Luv-Kush Intersection to Ujjain has been entrusted to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.
