Latest news with #SimhasthaKumbhMela
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
1-hr travel to Omkareshwar & Mahakaleshwar by mid-2026
Indore: In a major boost for religious tourism and regional connectivity, Indore, strategically located between the Omkareshwar and Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlingas, is set to offer an unprecedented one-hour travel time to both revered destinations by the next year. This significant reduction in travel duration is largely due to the nearing completion of Madhya Pradesh's first two road tunnels on the Indore-Khandwa road and the upgrade of the Indore-Ujjain four-lane highway to a six-lane expressway. According to Sumesh Banjhal, NHAI Indore project director, approximately 80% of the work on the state's pioneering road tunnels in Choral, part of the Indore-Icchapur highway, was completed. "We are confident to open the tunnel for traffic by June 2026, while the Mortakka bridge over the Narmada River is also expected to be completed by December 2025," Banjhal stated. He added that the Public Works Department (PWD) is simultaneously working to complete a 12 km-long four-lane road connecting the Mortakka Bridge directly to Shri Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Mandir. Indore-Ujjain four-lane highway is being upgraded to a six-lane expressway by the Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation (MPMRDC), with completion also anticipated within the next year, senior officials confirmed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Currently, the 60 km journey from Indore airport to Ujjain's Shri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Mandir takes between 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours. Traveling the approximately 90 km to Khandwa's Shri Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Mandir via the existing route takes around 3 hours. "As both major roads leading to Shri Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Mandir and Shri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Mandir, situated to the left and right of Indore, are expected to be completed in the next year, the journey time to either major religious destination from MP's commercial city will be drastically reduced to one hour," Banjhal explainedwhile talking to TOI. He provided an illustrative example, saying, "People arriving at Indore airport from Delhi or Mumbai will soon be able to reach Ujjain's Shri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Mandir, return to Indore, then go to Khandwa's Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Mandir, and still return to Indore airport to catch a flight for their respective city, all within the same day." Indore collector Asheesh Singh, who also holds the charge of 'Ujjain Kumbh Mela Kshetra,' emphasised the critical role these upgraded highways will play, especially in view of Ujjain's Simhastha Kumbh Mela in 2028, which is expected to attract millions of devotees. He affirmed that efforts are underway to complete these two highways, along with other major road projects, within their stipulated deadlines.
Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Nashik civic body to conduct structural audits of all bridges after Pune collapse
Nashik: Following a recent fatal bridge collapse in Pune district, the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has expanded its plans to conduct structural audits of all 48 bridges within the city limits. This decision comes as a critical measure to ensure public safety, especially with the Simhastha Kumbh Mela scheduled to take place in Nashik between 2026 and 2028. Initially, the civic body had planned to audit 12 bridges in preparation for the Kumbh Mela. However, the tragic incident involving a bridge on the Indrayani river in Pune district, which claimed four lives, prompted a more comprehensive approach. Nashik boasts of 48 bridges on Godavari river and its three tributaries — Nasardi, Waldevi, and Waghadi. Seven of these bridges were constructed for the last Simhastha Kumbh Mela in 2015. An NMC official confirmed that these widespread structural audits will be carried out to prevent any unfortunate incidents, particularly during the anticipated high footfall of the upcoming Kumbh Mela. The civic body intends to strengthen any structures identified as needing work based on the findings of these audit reports. "Earlier, the structural audits of some bridges were carried out by the smart city corporation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Here's The Average Price of a 6-Hour Gutter Guards Upgrade Read More Undo However, the structural audit of all the bridges is now to be carried out in view of the upcoming Kumbh Mela," the official said. Two years ago, the NMC conducted a structural audit of the century-old Ahilyabai Holkar bridge and some other bridges. These bridges were found structurally fit during the audits. Ahilyabai Holkar bridge was built in 1895 on Godavari river. Gadge Maharaj and Ram Setu bridges are over six decades old. The latter was built in 1955, while the former was built in 1956. Both bridges connect the old Panchavati and old Raviwar Peth areas of the city. There is a huge movement of pedestrians through these bridges on a daily basis. The structural audits of both bridges were done by the smart city corporation around two to three years ago. The NMC is also constructing nine new bridges on the Godavari river and its three tributaries in view of the upcoming Kumbh Mela. The tender process for this has already been started by the civic administration. Around 5 crore people are expected to visit Nashik during Kumbh Mela.
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
HAL to invest Rs 343 crore to develop new runway at Nashik airport, floats tender
1 2 3 Nashik: Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), a defence PSU, is investing Rs 343.2 crore to construct a new runway parallel to the existing one at the Nashik airport. The PSU has floated the bid for runway construction, aiming to complete it before the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, scheduled between 2026 and 2028. According to HAL officials, the tender process will conclude within two months by selecting an eligible contractor. The construction of the new runway, measuring 3km in length and 45m in width, identical to the current one, will require approximately one year to complete. The HAL-managed Nashik airport is located 20km from Nashik city. A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for June 26, while the bid submission deadline is July 14. The 13-day runway closure in 2022 — from Nov 20 to Dec 3 — for maintenance works, had disrupted flight operations. The additional runway will ensure continuous operations when either runway requires maintenance. The Simhastha Kumbh Mela commences with flag hoisting on Oct 31, 2026, followed by three Amrit Snans in Aug-Sept 2027. The parallel runway will support increased flight operations and passenger traffic during this significant event. Govt is considering expanding the airport terminal building and aircraft parking facilities. Union minister of state for civil aviation Murlidhar Mohol, during his recent Nashik visit, expressed support for terminal expansion before the Kumbh Mela and held discussions with HAL officials. Currently, one private airline operates flights from Nashik to Delhi, Goa, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Nagpur, with plans to introduce Kolkata services soon. The airport witnessed a 40% increase in passenger traffic, recording 3.4 lakh passengers in 2024-25, compared to 2.4 lakh in 2023-24. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Industry dept to set up tent city for industrialists during upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela
Nashik: The state industry department will set up a tent city in Nashik for industrialists from the country and overseas during the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela, slated to be held from Dec 26 to 28 this year. An announcement to this effect was made by state minister for industry and Marathi language Uday Samant during a press conference following his meeting with industrialists during his visit to Nashik on Friday. Samant said that the location to set up the tent city during Kumbh Mela will be identified by Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) officials. The amount for setting up the tent city will be raised through corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds from MIDC as well as from industries. The objective is to get industrialists from overseas or the country coming to Nashik during this religious conglomerate acquainted with the local infrastructure and also the MIDC areas in the district so that they will plan their new industrial projects in Nashik, said Samant. Samant also announced that 25 acres have been reserved for the proposed Information Technology (IT) Park at Rajur-Bahula near Nashik. MIDC acquired 74 acres (30 hectares), of which 25 acres have been reserved for the IT park. The industry department and industrial associations will make efforts to bring IT industries here. But if no IT unit comes here in the next two years, then these 25 acres will be allotted to other industries, said Samant. Samant also said that Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has 15 acres near the Adgaon area of the city that had also been earmarked for the proposed IT Park. Hence, we will bring the IT industries here too, he said. Samant also said a large anchor industry gave in-principle approval to set up a unit in Nashik district with a total investment of Rs 14,000 crore, which will be made in phases. The announcement about this company's industrial project will be declared officially soon. Samant also informed that the MIDC decided to start play-and-plug on 10 acres at Talegaon-Akrale industrial areas of MIDC in Dindori, for the micro, small & medium enterprises (MSMEs). Fourth Vishwa Marathi Sammelan to be Held in Nashik in Dec This Year A three-day Vishwa Marathi Sammelan will be held in Nashik from Dec 26 to 28 this year. Maharashtra minister for industry and Marathi language Uday Samant held a meeting for the planning of the sammelan. This will be the fourth Vishwa Marathi Sammelan to be held in Nashik. The first Vishwa Marathi Sammelan was held in Mumbai in January 2023, while the second was held in Navi Mumbai in Jan 2024. The third was held in Pune in Jan this year. Now, the fourth will be held in Dec this year. Samant said that the sammelan will now to be held in Dec every year. An office for the sammelan will also be started in Nashik in August this year. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Govt positive about Nashik airport expansion: Mohol
Nashik: Union minister of state for civic aviation Murlidhar Mohol on Wednesday said govt was positive about the expansion of the Nashik airport terminal in view of the Kumbh Mela . Mohol said the new airport terminal was built at Prayagraj in just 15 months ahead of the Kumbh Mela there. "Now, we are positive about the expansion of the existing Nashik airport terminal building and also improving its air connectivity," he said. The Nashik airport, managed by defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), is located around 20km from Nashik city. Mohol said he discussed the airport expansion with CM Devendra Fadnavis, who requested him to visit the facility and review the scope for expansion. The Union minister also held a meeting with HAL and Nashik airport officials, directing HAL to send an expansion proposal to CM Fadnavis and him. A delegation of Nashik Industries & Manufacturers' Association (NIMA) also met Mohol and discussed issues related to the airport expansion and approval for the immigration check-post at the terminal. NIMA president Ashish Nahar stated Mohol assured them of expanding the airport terminal and enhancing the air connectivity from the airport. Manish Rawal, chairman of the aviation committee of NIMA, said considering the rise in the number of flights and passengers during the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela, there was a need to increase the capacity of the existing airport terminal. At present, a private airline is operating flights from Nashik airport to six destinations — Delhi, Goa, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Nagpur. The airline is also planning to start flights to Kolkata. State govt and HAL jointly developed the Nashik airport terminal around 12 years back at Rs 94 crore. In 2015, state govt leased the airport terminal at Rs 1,000 per month for 30 years till 2045. The seating capacity of the present terminal building is around 300 passengers. The average passengers footfall at the airport throughout the day is around 1,500.
