Nashik: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said that Nashik — supported by a massive infrastructure drive underway across the city and its metropolitan region — is set to transform into a major investment hub after the upcoming Kumbh Mela.The CM noted that development works worth around Rs25,000 crore are currently ongoing in preparation for the religious mega event. Speaking at the bond listing ceremony held at the National Stock Exchange (NSE) in Mumbai, Fadnavis highlighted that the scale and quality of infrastructure being created will significantly elevate Nashik’s appeal for industries, investors and large-scale enterprises. “The pace of development in the next year-and-a-half will give the city a modern, future-ready identity,” he said.According to the CM, various infrastructure and civic upgrade projects collectively valued at over Rs25,000 crore are being executed by Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) and other authorities. “While the projects are being fast-tracked to accommodate the expected influx of devotees during the Kumbh Mela, their long-term benefits will remain with Nashik,” Fadnavis said.“Devotees will go back after the Kumbh, but the infrastructure created for the event will permanently strengthen the city. This will help the NMC join the ranks of developed municipal corporations. More importantly, Nashik will emerge as a new magnet for investment because of the transformation brought in ahead of the Kumbh,” he added.The flag-hoisting ceremony for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela will take place on Oct 31 this year, while the three Amrit Snans (holy baths) are scheduled between Aug and Sept 2027. The previous Kumbh Mela held in Nashik in 2015 had recorded a footfall of around 2 crore devotees and sadhus. For the upcoming edition, authorities expect nearly 5 crore visitors, prompting the NMC and other agencies to undertake large-scale works worth thousands of crores.
