Simhastha-2016 in Vikram Samwat 2073 would be an amalgamation of tradition and modernity. With traditional glorious traditions, preparations for Simhastha Kumbh are being made in camping area of over 3,000 hectares. Under construction major bridges, flyovers, filtration plants, interpretation centre and four-lane roads have given look of a metro city to Ujjain.
As against works costing Rs 267 crore during last Simhastha, budget of over Rs 2591 crore has been received for permanent and temporary construction works for Simhastha-2016. Of these, 80 per cent works are of permanent natures, which will be permanent gifts for Ujjain city.
From remaining 20 per cent budget, temporary construction works are being undertaken in Mela area. In Ujjain city, 100 roads costing Rs 362 crore have been constructed. All these roads have been connected with inner ring road. Engineering College road connecting Dewas road to Indore road has been converted to 4-lane.
Adequate streetlights have been installed on the 4-lane road. As soon as one enters Ujjain city from Mahamrityanjay Gate of Indore road, he feels like is visiting a metro city. For Simhastha-2016, 14.29 km long Ujjain West Bypass costing Rs 94 crore has been constructed. Traffic on it has started. This important road of Ujjain has been connected to Indore-Ujjain 4-lane road, Badnagar road and Unhel-Nagda road.
The road emanating from Sanwrakheri satellite town passes from distance of one kilometer of Simhastha Mela area due to which devotees will be able to reach with vehicles. Due to construction of this road, heavy vehicles are moving without entering Ujjain city. This time, 4 railway over-bridges and 8 bridges on Kshipra river costing Rs 177 crore are being constructed for Simhastha. This will ease traffic and help devotees cross Kshipra river easily.
Banks of Kshipra river have prepared for holy bath during Simhastha-2016. Vast ghats have been constructed from lal Pul to Bhookhi Mata and from Bhookhi Mata to Dutt Akhada on the left bank while ghats have also been constructed on vacant places on the right bank from lal Pul to Narsingh Ghat.
Beautiful ghats like Har Ki Paudhi in Haridwar will be available during Simhastha-2016. New ghats measuring 5 kms have been constructed this time. Ghats measuring 8.34 kms will be available for holy bath during Simhastha.
The State has worked on Khan river diversion scheme to ensure availability of clean water for holy bath in Kshipra river. After village Pipalyaradho, Khan river has been connected through pipeline measuring 19 kms with Kshipra river ahead of Kaliyadeh Mahal. In this way, clean water will be available at all ghats ahead of Triveni including Bhookhi Mata, Ramghat and Mangalnath.
The State has spent Rs 90 crore on this work. Construction is progressing rapidly and would be completed by February 2016. Pipeline of Khan diversion is so large that a small car can pass through it.