13 July,2026 10:53 AM IST | Nashik | Archana Dahiwal
The inspection covered waterlogged stretches affecting vehicular and pedestrian movement. Pic/ Special Arrangement
With the Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027 set to coincide with the monsoon season, the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority (NTKMA) has intensified preparations by conducting extensive field inspections across Nashik city and Trimbakeshwar to assess the impact of heavy rainfall on critical infrastructure.
In a parallel move, the Authority has introduced a secure QR code-based e-authentication system for all official administrative orders to enhance transparency and prevent document forgery.
The monsoon assessments, carried out on July 8 and 9, aim to identify vulnerabilities in drainage, mobility, sanitation and public infrastructure so that corrective measures can be implemented well before the mega religious gathering.
On July 8, NTKMA Commissioner Shekhar Singh, accompanied by Additional Commissioner Kamlakar Randive, Deputy Collector Minakshi Rathod, Chief Officer Amol Chaudhari, Trimbak Municipal Council Chief Officer Govind Jadhav, and officials from various departments, inspected key locations in Trimbakeshwar.
The team visited the proposed Sadhugram site, ghat areas and other strategic locations to evaluate waterlogging-prone zones, natural surface water flow, drainage efficiency and the suitability of the proposed Sadhugram during heavy rainfall.
Officials also assessed safe access and evacuation routes for pilgrims and emergency services while reviewing the need for additional drainage systems, pumping arrangements and ground-level improvements. Ongoing construction of new ghats was inspected with a focus on flood resilience, safety and accessibility.
On July 9, Additional Commissioner Kamlakar Randive, Deputy Collector Minakshi Rathod, Chief Officer Amol Chaudhari, Tehsildar Makrand Diwakar, and officials from multiple departments conducted inspections across Nashik city.
The exercise assessed the impact of continuous rainfall on major roads, traffic junctions, railway station approaches and key movement corridors linked to the Kumbh Mela.
The inspection covered waterlogged stretches affecting vehicular and pedestrian movement, traffic bottlenecks during heavy rains and the impact of ongoing infrastructure projects on road safety. Officials also reviewed the performance of stormwater drains, culverts, road outfalls, footpaths and emergency vehicle accessibility.
At the Godavari riverfront and ghat areas, the team evaluated river water levels, accessibility during heavy rains, slippery stretches, drainage performance, crowd movement at entry and exit points, queue management zones and emergency evacuation routes.
Sanitation infrastructure also came under scrutiny, with officials assessing flood-prone locations earmarked for temporary toilets, risks of sewage backflow, wastewater stagnation, solid waste accumulation at drainage points and the accessibility of desludging and waste collection vehicles.
Potential public health concerns, including stagnant water, foul odour and mosquito breeding, were also reviewed.
Based on the findings, NTKMA will prepare location-specific mitigation plans and coordinate with relevant departments to strengthen drainage networks, improve mobility, upgrade sanitation facilities and ensure the safe movement of pilgrims during Simhastha Kumbh 2027.
Commissioner Shekhar Singh said that since the Kumbh Mela will take place during the monsoon season, it is crucial to understand how infrastructure performs under actual heavy rainfall conditions.
"These field inspections are helping us identify vulnerabilities in drainage, mobility and public infrastructure well in advance. Every observation made during the current monsoon will be translated into engineering improvements and operational planning so that pilgrims, saints and citizens experience a safe, seamless and resilient Kumbh in 2027," he said.
In a move aimed at improving governance and transparency, NTKMA has introduced a QR code-based digital e-authentication system for all official administrative orders.
Under the new system, every order issued by the Authority will carry a unique QR code that can be scanned by citizens, contractors and stakeholders to instantly verify its authenticity.
The QR code will link directly to the corresponding document hosted on the government's official public portal, enabling users to confirm that the order is genuine and unaltered.
According to the Authority, the initiative will help prevent misuse, forgery and the circulation of fake documents while enhancing transparency, administrative accountability and public trust.
NTKMA has urged citizens, contractors and stakeholders to verify the QR code on every official order before acting upon it, ensuring that only authenticated documents are used for official purposes.
