Ujjain Simhastha 2028: PMO Steps In To Ensure No Kumbh-Like Stampede

Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh): The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in New Delhi has stepped in to ensure that stampedes like the recent one in Prayagraj Mahakumbh do not recur during the Simhastha Mahaparva (Kumbh) to be held in Ujjain in 2028. On the instructions of the PMO, some top officials associated with the arrangements for the Prayagraj Mahakumbh are reaching Ujjain on April 7 on a three-day visit.

This team will review the Madhya Pradesh government’s preparations for Simhastha. According to sources, the visit of chief secretary Anurag Jain to Ujjain on March 27 alerted the PMO. He spent a long time in the PMO before returning to the state services.

During his stay in Ujjain, the CS not only examined the ground realities of the Simhastha preparations but also chided senior administrative officials during a meeting. CS took an exception when, contrary to the truth, a responsible official claimed during the presentation that the work of converting all the roads, including the Maksi Road to Ujjain, into four-lane had already begun.

Many departmental officials also came on his radar. He appeared dissatisfied with the projects related to cleaning of the water of river Kshipra, the widening of the main roads leading to Ujjain and the railway work. It is said that the CS briefed the PMO about the Simhastha event in Ujjain. This is the reason why the PMO has directed senior administrative officials from Prayagraj to go to Ujjain and review the preparations for the Simhastha in detail.

According to government claims, about 65 crore people from the country and abroad had reached the Mahakumbh held in Prayagraj this year. The Uttar Pradesh government had anticipated the arrival of 45 crore people. Amidst all the claims of perfect arrangements, the traffic system on all the routes leading to Prayagraj became miserable within a period of 45 days.

Dozens of devotees lost their lives in stampedes on some ghats of the river Ganga. Obviously, the Modi government at the Centre does not want a repeat of such incidents in the Ujjain Simhastha.

Collector Neeraj Kumar Singh confirmed that a five-member administrative team from Prayagraj was coming to Ujjain on April 7 to review the preparations for the Simhastha event. According to him, the fair officer and other members of the team will observe the field preparations and also give guidance regarding the action plan by holding meetings of various departments. This team will stay in Ujjain till April 9 and submit a detailed report.