To manage the rising traffic and influx of devotees for the upcoming Nashik Simhastha Kumbh Mela, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis held a high-level meeting at the Mantralaya cabinet hall to review the progress of proposed outer ring roads around Nashik. He directed officials to urgently submit these proposals for Cabinet approval and to prepare an integrated e-bus service plan to offer quality transport facilities to pilgrims.

The meeting emphasized the development of peripheral routes, airport connector roads, the Samruddhi Mahamarg link, road widening, and the use of modern technology for traffic planning. The Divisional Commissioner and Guardian Secretary of Nashik were instructed to prioritize the projects and submit proposals to the Public Works Department within 10 days.

The CM also ordered the inclusion of Nashik’s transport projects under the Urban Challenge Fund, guided by the central government. Of the proposed 137-km greenfield ring road network, some sections will be developed by the Public Works Department and the rest by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation. Land acquisition of around 500 hectares across 40 villages will be required.

To ease travel for devotees from Mumbai, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Shirdi, Pune, Dhule, and other areas, vehicle parking, road planning, and coordination for the successful organization of the Kumbh Mela were also discussed.