In view of the Kumbh Mela to be held at Haridwar in Uttarakhand during 2021, the Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat met the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and sought a one-time special central assistance of Rs 4570 crore for the State. The Chief Minister said that the Kumbh Mela is slated to be held at Haridwar from January to April in 2021.
During these four months, more than 15 crore people are expected to arrive here. The Kumbh Mela will begin in Haridwar from January 1, 2021 and all works related to arrangements for this major event are to be completed by October 2020 under any circumstances.
During his meet with the Union Finance Minister, the Chief Minister said that various works are to be undertaken on a large scale for the convenience and safety of people who will be visiting Haridwar during the Kumbh Mela.
These works include infrastructure related permanent works like road construction/improvement, construction of ghats, facilitation of potable water and electricity supply, works related to maintenance of law and order, facilitation of adequate medical treatment facilities, maintenance of sanitation and proper garbage disposal in the Mela area, developing temporary camps for members of religious fraternity and devotees, facilitating parking space and other works.
All these works are to be completed without fail by October 2020.
Rawat further said that due to the State’s financial resources being limited, financial assistance from the Centre for the organisation of the Kumbh Mela is essential. He requested the Union Finance Minister to make budgetary provision of one-time special central assistance of Rs 4570 crore in the coming union budget.
Jaitley assured the Chief Minister of all possible assistance from the Centre.