Kumbh authority gives administrative approval for Nashik airport expansion; target March 2027

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In view of the forthcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela, the Nashik Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Development Authority has given its administrative approval for the expansion of the Nashik (Ozar) airport, officials have said, reported news agency PTI.

The chairman of the Authority and divisional commissioner Dr Praveen Gedam has directed that the airport expansion work be completed before March 2027, an official release said on Wednesday, reported PTI.

The airport is located about 20 km from Nashik in the Ozar area. It is maintained by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), reported PTI.

A meeting of the Kumbh authority was held on Wednesday, during which the administrative approval was given to construct a new integrated terminal building along with ancillary works at an estimated cost of Rs 556 crore.

A Memorandum of Understanding will be signed between the state government and HAL for the airport expansion. The expansion will raise the passenger traffic capacity of the airport from 300 per hour to 1,000 passengers per hour, the release added.

The Simhastha Kumbh Mela will be held between October 31, 2026, and July 24, 2028.

Earlier this month, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis performed the ‘bhoomipujan' of several projects and announced that development works costing over Rs 20,000 crore have been sanctioned for the upcoming Nashik Kumbh Mela 2027.

According to the PTI, CM Fadnavis performed the ‘bhoomipujan' for projects worth Rs 5,757 crore, assuring that all works would be conducted transparently and there would be no shortage of funds for the Kumbh, which occurs once every 12 years.

He added that the projects are designed to last at least 25 years and will significantly improve infrastructure in Nashik and Trimbakeshwar.

"This Kumbh is special as it falls during ‘Trikhand Yog' after 75 years and will continue for 28 months, from October 31, 2026 to July 24, 2028. While the Prayagraj Kumbh spans 15,000 hectares along the Ganga, Nashik has just 500 acres for the festivities," CM Fadnavis said, as per the PTI.

The projects include Rs 2,270 crore works by the Public Works Department and Rs 3,338 crore by the Nashik Municipal Corporation. The state's largest Zilla Parishad building was also inaugurated, with Deputy CM Eknath Shinde and state Kumbh Minister Girish Mahajan in attendance.

CM Fadnavis also announced a ‘Digital Kumbh' initiative to promote the Mela online. Artificial intelligence (AI) will be employed to manage crowds and maintain law and order, while digital platforms will provide information to devotees, as per the PTI.

During his visit, the CM reviewed the Rs 99.14 crore Ramkal Path project, which focuses on renovating and conserving historical structures such as Ramkund, Seeta Gumpha, Lord Kalaram Temple, and Ram Laxman Gumpha, while improving basic amenities for visitors.

(With inputs from PTI)