Chief Minister 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.
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 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 Rs 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 Rs 778.91 crore, and a 30.15 km diversion of the Kanh River at Rs 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 Rs 614.53 crore. For water regulation, 14 proposed barrages on the Kshipra River and 11 on the Kanh River have been approved, valued at Rs 74.67 crore and Rs 43.51 crore, respectively. Other approved projects include the Ujjain city sewerage project, with an allocation of Rs 198 crore, a new EHV substation for ultra-high-pressure work at Rs 250 crore, capacity enhancement for the high-pressure station costing Rs 16.80 crore, and a 33/11 KV substation valued at Rs 29.83 crore. Additionally, Rs 4.50 crore has been set aside for constructing a 33 KV line and interconnection (10 km), with Rs 18.36 crore for similar works extending over 80 km, and Rs 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 Rs 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 Rs 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 Rs 1,692 crore, while the Indore-Ujjain Greenfield 4-lane project under the same model receives Rs 950 crore.
