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The Nashik Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Development Authority has granted administrative approval for a major expansion of Nashik's Ozar airport as preparations intensify for the forthcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela, officials confirmed on November 19.
Chairman and divisional commissioner of the development authority Dr Praveen Gedam has instructed that the work be completed before March 2027, according to an official release. The airport, situated around 20 kilometres from Nashik in the Ozar area, is operated by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The approval was issued during a meeting of the Authority, which cleared the construction of a new integrated terminal building along with associated works at an estimated cost of ₹556 crore. A Memorandum of Understanding between the state government and HAL will be executed to facilitate the project. Once completed, the airport’s passenger-handling capacity is expected to increase from 300 passengers per hour to 1,000 passengers per hour.
Also read | Tourism and hospitality industry seeks bold reforms in pre-Budget 2026 meeting with finance minister
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, speaking on November 20, said development works worth over ₹20,000 crore have been sanctioned for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, a scale of investment he believes will transform Nashik into a major tourism and pilgrimage hub. All works would be executed transparently, he said after performing ‘bhoomipujan’ for several projects, adding that funding would not be a constraint for a “parva” that occurs once every 12 years.
“We have planned that all these works should sustain for at least 25 years and will change the face of Nashik and Trimbakeshwar. It will make Nashik a major tourism and pilgrimage centre. The state government will good compensation for land that will be acquired for these works,” Fadnavis said at a rally following the ceremony.
Also read | Railways cancel 24 trains from Dec 1, check full list here
He highlighted the uniqueness of the upcoming Kumbh, noting, “This Kumbh is special as it comes during ‘Trikhand Yog’ after 75 years. Therefore, it will continue for 28 months. It will begin on October 31, 2026 and continue till July 24, 2028. People from across the world visited Prayagraj Kumbh. Nashik Kumbh is also a part of this tradition. However, the difference is that Prayagraj Kumbh takes place on 15,000 hectares of land on the banks of Ganga, while we have only 500 acres of land in Nashik and Trimbakeshwar.”
The Chief Minister said the Union and state governments have already sanctioned projects totalling ₹20,000 crore, and that groundbreaking ceremonies were performed on Thursday for works costing ₹5,757 crore. These include ₹2,270 crore worth of Public Works Department projects and ₹3,338 crore of works under the Nashik Municipal Corporation. The inauguration of the state’s largest Zilla Parishad building also took place in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Minister Girish Mahajan—who is in charge of Kumbh preparations—and senior officials.
Fadnavis announced a ‘Digital Kumbh’ initiative aimed at modernising the event through online platforms. Information will be provided digitally, while artificial intelligence will be deployed for crowd management and maintaining public order, he said.
During his visit, the Chief Minister inspected the Ramkund area in Panchavati and reviewed plans for the proposed ₹99.14 crore Ramkal Path project, which will focus on improving amenities for visitors and preserving heritage sites. Officials said the project will help showcase the cultural and historical significance of landmarks such as Ramkund, Seeta Gumpha, the Kalaram Temple and Ram Laxman Gumpha.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy CM Shinde said the Simhastha Kumbh Mela would go beyond its religious significance, helping position India prominently on the global spiritual map. The state government, he added, is committed to ensuring systematic and high-quality preparations.
Chairman and divisional commissioner of the development authority Dr Praveen Gedam has instructed that the work be completed before March 2027, according to an official release. The airport, situated around 20 kilometres from Nashik in the Ozar area, is operated by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The approval was issued during a meeting of the Authority, which cleared the construction of a new integrated terminal building along with associated works at an estimated cost of ₹556 crore. A Memorandum of Understanding between the state government and HAL will be executed to facilitate the project. Once completed, the airport’s passenger-handling capacity is expected to increase from 300 passengers per hour to 1,000 passengers per hour.
Also read | Tourism and hospitality industry seeks bold reforms in pre-Budget 2026 meeting with finance minister
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, speaking on November 20, said development works worth over ₹20,000 crore have been sanctioned for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, a scale of investment he believes will transform Nashik into a major tourism and pilgrimage hub. All works would be executed transparently, he said after performing ‘bhoomipujan’ for several projects, adding that funding would not be a constraint for a “parva” that occurs once every 12 years.
“We have planned that all these works should sustain for at least 25 years and will change the face of Nashik and Trimbakeshwar. It will make Nashik a major tourism and pilgrimage centre. The state government will good compensation for land that will be acquired for these works,” Fadnavis said at a rally following the ceremony.
Also read | Railways cancel 24 trains from Dec 1, check full list here
He highlighted the uniqueness of the upcoming Kumbh, noting, “This Kumbh is special as it comes during ‘Trikhand Yog’ after 75 years. Therefore, it will continue for 28 months. It will begin on October 31, 2026 and continue till July 24, 2028. People from across the world visited Prayagraj Kumbh. Nashik Kumbh is also a part of this tradition. However, the difference is that Prayagraj Kumbh takes place on 15,000 hectares of land on the banks of Ganga, while we have only 500 acres of land in Nashik and Trimbakeshwar.”
The Chief Minister said the Union and state governments have already sanctioned projects totalling ₹20,000 crore, and that groundbreaking ceremonies were performed on Thursday for works costing ₹5,757 crore. These include ₹2,270 crore worth of Public Works Department projects and ₹3,338 crore of works under the Nashik Municipal Corporation. The inauguration of the state’s largest Zilla Parishad building also took place in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Minister Girish Mahajan—who is in charge of Kumbh preparations—and senior officials.
Fadnavis announced a ‘Digital Kumbh’ initiative aimed at modernising the event through online platforms. Information will be provided digitally, while artificial intelligence will be deployed for crowd management and maintaining public order, he said.
During his visit, the Chief Minister inspected the Ramkund area in Panchavati and reviewed plans for the proposed ₹99.14 crore Ramkal Path project, which will focus on improving amenities for visitors and preserving heritage sites. Officials said the project will help showcase the cultural and historical significance of landmarks such as Ramkund, Seeta Gumpha, the Kalaram Temple and Ram Laxman Gumpha.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy CM Shinde said the Simhastha Kumbh Mela would go beyond its religious significance, helping position India prominently on the global spiritual map. The state government, he added, is committed to ensuring systematic and high-quality preparations.
