Traffic planning for the 2027 Simhastha Kumbh Mela will extend beyond Nashik city, with authorities working on a regional plan to manage the movement of pilgrims arriving from neighboring districts and Gujarat. The plan includes traffic regulation, parking, shuttle buses and temporary facilities outside Nashik.
Key Highlights
- Traffic planning will extend to neighboring districts and Gujarat.
- Officials from Ahilyanagar, Dhule, Jalgaon, Thane, Palghar, Valsad and Dang are involved in coordination.
- Vehicles may be regulated from district borders to reduce congestion in Nashik.
- Parking areas and special ST shuttle bus services are planned outside crowded areas.
- Temporary shelters, parking and rest facilities may be developed in neighboring districts.
- Road, rail and bus connectivity to Nashik is also being strengthened.
Regional Traffic Planning for Kumbh
The Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority has taken the initiative to plan pilgrim traffic at a regional level instead of limiting arrangements to Nashik city.
A meeting was held on September 9 at the Divisional Commissioner’s office under the leadership of Kumbh Mela Authority chairman and Divisional Commissioner Dr. Pravin Gedam and Kumbh Mela Commissioner Shekhar Singh. Officials from neighboring districts and Gujarat’s Valsad and Dang districts were asked to provide details of preparations in their respective areas.
Focus on Major Routes to Nashik
The plan covers several major routes used by pilgrims travelling towards Nashik.
The Shirdi-Nashik route is being considered as an important link because of the large number of pilgrims visiting Shirdi. Authorities are also looking at improvements in the Mumbai-Nashik corridor, including routes through Thane, Palghar and Kasara.
For pilgrims arriving from North Maharashtra, the Nashik-Dhule and Jalgaon routes will be important. Planning is also being undertaken to strengthen road, rail and bus connectivity from these areas.
Vehicles to Be Regulated Outside Nashik
To reduce congestion inside Nashik, authorities are planning to regulate vehicles before they enter the city.
Vehicles may be stopped at parking facilities outside the main city areas, with pilgrims then transported through special ST shuttle bus services into controlled zones. Traffic flow is planned to be managed from the borders of neighboring districts.
Temporary Parking and Rest Facilities
Neighboring districts may also develop temporary facilities for pilgrims, depending on requirements during the Kumbh.
These may include parking areas, temporary shelters and rest facilities along important routes. The aim is to manage pilgrim movement in stages and reduce the pressure caused by large numbers of vehicles entering Nashik at the same time.
Wider Infrastructure Focus
The regional planning also covers road, railway and tourism connectivity between Nashik and other important destinations, including Shirdi, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalgaon and Dhule.
Authorities expect these connectivity improvements to remain useful for tourism and the local economy even after the 2027 Simhastha Kumbh Mela concludes.
The regional traffic plan is part of the wider preparations being undertaken to manage the expected movement of pilgrims during the 2027 Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela.