CM Dr. Yadav has directed that the long-term action plan for the smooth organisation of the Simhastha Mahaparv 2028 be implemented strictly within the set timelines.
CM Dr. Yadav : Departments must continuously review activities under their jurisdiction to ensure that all construction works are mandatorily completed by December 2027. He further instructed that proper coordination for crowd management and all major religious & cultural events be ensured within this period.
CM Dr. Yadav issued these directives while chairing the fourth meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Simhastha 2028 at Mantralaya. The meeting was attended by Deputy CM Shri Rajendra Shukla, Urban Development & Housing Minister Shri Kailash Vijayvargiya, PWD Minister Shri Rakesh Singh, Transport & School Education Minister Shri Uday Pratap Singh, PHE Minister Smt. Sampatiya Uike, Food & Civil Supplies Minister Shri Govind Singh Rajput, Energy Minister (Independent Charge) Shri Pradyumn Singh Tomar, MSME Minister Shri Chaitanya Kumar Kashyap, Culture Minister (Independent Charge) Shri Dharmendra Bhav Singh Lodhi, Technical Education Minister (Independent Charge) Shri Gautam Tetwal, Urban Development & Housing MoS Smt. Pratima Bagri, Chief Secretary, Shri Anurag Jain and other senior officials.
Emphasis on Local Citizens Participation
CM Dr. Yadav emphasised that local residents must be made active partners in the implementation of Simhastha-related projects, including road widening and other urban development works. Special care must be taken for pilgrim facilities, parking and easy access to information. Cleanliness should be the top priority during Simhastha, with modern technology adopted for waste management. For better administration, Ujjain will be divided into seven zones to manage drinking water, sanitation, transport, law and order, health and accommodation
A total of 33 projects worth ₹2,675 crore were presented for approval — including 25 in Ujjain, 3 in Khandwa, 2 in Mandsaur, and 3 in Khargone. These cover 21 works under urban development, 6 under PWD, 2 under Railways, and one each under tourism, home, MPRDC, and water resources.
All Ghats to be Connected by a 12-km Six-Lane Road
In the fourth meeting of the Cabinet Committee for Simhastha, approval was granted for MR-22, a major road project connecting all routes from the Simhastha Bypass to the fair area on the western bank of the Kshipra River, linking temples and ghats along the river. The 12-kilometre six-lane road, to be constructed at an estimated cost of ₹194 crore, will connect all ghats and serve as a Bus Rapid Transit corridor during Simhastha. Similarly, as an alternative to Badnagar Road for reaching Ramghat from the Simhastha Bypass, approval was given for the Kartik Mela Ground–Naikhedi route. This four-lane, 3-kilometre road costing ₹36.59 crore will help reduce traffic congestion from the Simhastha Bypass to Shankaracharya Square. To improve connectivity on the western side of the Kshipra River from Indore–Ujjain Road, approval was also granted for the Shani Mandir–Jivankhedi road. In addition, the Shantidham Square–Shani Mandir road will provide an alternative route for devotees traveling from Indore Road to reach Triveni Ghat and Shani Mandir. The Committee also approved the Maharajwada Square–Harsiddhi Mandir Square–Kshipra River road, which will establish a direct link between Mahakal Mandir and Ramghat, while ensuring wider access for devotees visiting the Mahakal precinct.
Robust Traffic Management Arrangements Underway
In this important meeting chaired by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, approval was granted for multiple projects aimed at ensuring smooth traffic flow. These include the use of the Karkraj Parking–Bhukhimata road as an alternative route to connect Narsingh Ghat Road with Datt Akhada Zone, Bhukhimata Mandir and the western bank of the river; construction of a 1.5 km four-lane road from Lalpul to MR-22; a two-lane road between Bhritarigufa and Rinmukteshwar for better traffic management; and a two-lane road from Gadkalika Mandir to Pir Matsyendranath Samadhi. Further, to strengthen traffic arrangements, approvals were given for a four-lane road from Juna Somwariya to Pipli Naka via Ankatpat Square, a six-lane road with service lanes from Pipli Naka to Gadkalika Mandir–Okhleshwar cremation ground, a six-lane road with service lanes from Bhairavgarh Jail Square to Pipli Naka, a four-lane road from Mahakal Parking to Chaubis Khamba Road, widening of Harsiddhi Pal–Ramghat Road, widening of Nilkanth Dwar–Mahakal Square Road and the construction of a new road from Makadiya Aam Square to Kanipura–Tarana Road via Virat Nagar.
Grand Hotel Complex to be Handed Over to Tourism Department
In the meeting, approval was granted for the upgradation of ghats along the Kshipra River at a cost of ₹122 crore, covering a stretch of nearly 9 km. Approval was also granted to develop parking facilities, a plaza, and shops at Regal Talkies near Chhatri Chowk. Further, approval of ₹10.34 crore was provided for developing essential infrastructure to facilitate the transfer of the Grand Hotel complex to the Tourism Department, construction of officials’ and staff quarters, and the development of facilities in Panwasa for families affected by road widening on major city routes. The meeting also issued necessary directives regarding the construction of a bridge for smooth movement at Ujjain Railway Station, as well as connectivity works for Naikhedi Railway Station, Panwasa Flag Station, and Chintaman Ganesh Railway Station.
A new bridge parallel to the existing suspension bridge to be built in Omkareshwar
At the meeting, approval was granted for the construction of a new bridge parallel to the existing suspension bridge in Omkareshwar (Khandwa district) at a cost of ₹48.37 crore to facilitate the movement of devotees. In addition, works worth ₹60 crore were sanctioned for the development of the main temple, construction of an additional bridge parallel to the existing route from the old bridge to the temple, and a new waiting hall. The Committee also approved works worth ₹12.32 crore for building and beautifying ghats in Mandsaur to enable devotees visiting Pashupatinath Mandir to perform rituals and take holy dips in the Shivna River. Furthermore, approval was given for a two-lane road from Mhow–Neemuch Road via Ambedkar Square and Kastaakar Restaurant up to Pashupatinath Mandir in Mandsaur.
Ahilya Lok to Take Shape in Maheshwar
In preparation for Simhastha 2028, approval was granted for the construction of Ahilya Lok in Maheshwar at a cost of ₹110 crore. This initiative aims to showcase the works and legacy of Maa Ahilya to devotees visiting the town. To ensure smooth movement of pilgrims during Simhastha, widening of the 61.85 km Dhamnod–Barwah road was also sanctioned at a cost of ₹1,441.85 crore. Approval was also granted for railing works at the Narmada Ghat in Maheshwar (Khargone).
Discussion on Continuous Water Flow Plan in Kshipra River
The Cabinet Committee also reviewed works under the Water Resources Department, including the Kanh River Diversion, barrages being constructed on the Kshipra & Kanh rivers and ongoing projects under the plan to ensure continuous water flow in the Kshipra during Simhastha. In addition, the Committee reviewed arrangements being made by the Energy Department for power supply, other construction works of the Public Works Department, development and maintenance of Veer Durgadas Ji’s Chhatri in Ujjain by the Culture Department, upgradation of Lalbagh Palace Complex in Indore, development works at Mamleshwar Temple in Omkareshwar and tourism projects such as tourist facilitation centers and development of the Omkar Circuit. Information was also presented on works being undertaken by the Home Department and the Urban Development and Housing Department.