06 May,2026 09:35 PM IST | Nashik | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis promises tech-savvy Kumbh Mela in Nashik (File pic)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said that the Ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Nashik will be the most digitally advanced yet environmentally responsible gathering.
According to the PTI, CM Fadnavis asserted that his government aims to organise the most digitally savvy Kumbh Mela on the banks of the Godavari River with maximum use of technology while rejecting concerns over ecological damage.
The Maharashtra CM further asserted that the state government wants to leverage technology to manage large crowds efficiently at the Nashik Kumbh Mela despite space constraints as compared to Prayagraj, where the mega religious gathering was organised in 2025 across a sprawling 4,000-hectare area.
He further insisted that the administration is working in a coordinated manner to ensure that even if significantly higher footfall is witnessed, devotees will have a seamless and spiritually enriching experience, as per PTI.
"We will assess the carbon footprint after the Kumbh, and I am confident it will be positive, not negative," the CM added.
Elaborating on the approach while addressing an event in Nashik related to industries and investment as part of the Kumbh preparations, CM Fadnavis further said that technology will be deployed extensively to ensure efficient crowd management, better coordination and a seamless experience for devotees.
Fadnavis, while highlighting more about the upcoming Kumbh Mela, also underlined that the use of digital tools will not dilute the spiritual essence of the Kumbh, but rather enhance accessibility and convenience.
On the environmental front, the CM dismissed allegations of indiscriminate tree cutting and emphasised that sustainability is central to the planning of the event organised every 12 years.
Fadnavis further pointed to ongoing efforts such as river cleaning, creation of sewage treatment infrastructure and other eco-friendly measures, adding that the government will carefully evaluate the event's overall environmental impact after its conclusion.
CM also noted, "The Kumbh is a gathering where there is no caste, no religion, and no distinction between the rich and the poor -- it is a true festival of equality. The narrative that Kumbh harms the environment or involves large-scale tree cutting is completely incorrect", as per PTI.
"Even if footfall increases multiple times, we will ensure that inconvenience is not caused and the spiritual experience of devotees is not affected. Our effort is to make the Kumbh more accessible, efficient and seamless through the use of modern technology," Fadnavis stated.
Speaking about preparations for the Kumbh, he also emphasised that the event reflects the diversity of Sanatan culture, bringing together multiple beliefs, traditions and forms of worship under one platform.
(With inputs from PTI)
