Rs 2,380 cr expenditure plan for Nashik kumbh mela approved

MUMBAI: A Rs 2,380 crore plan for the 2015 Nashik kumbh mela was approved here today at a meeting of the high-powered committee chaired by Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan.

A delegation of senior ministers from Maharashtra would soon meet the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to seek Central funds for the Kumbh preparations, Chavan said.

Around one and a half lakh sadhus and 50 to 60 lakh devotees had attended the 2003 Kumbh Mela at Nashik.

Infrastructure works at the Mela site should be completed before March 31, 2015, the Chief Minister instructed, official sources said.

Home minister R R Patil, Public Works minister Chhagan Bhujbal and senior officials attended the meeting.

Nashik is one of the four places in the country where Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years.

The flag of the Simhastha Kumbh is to be hoisted on July 14, 2015.

The first 'shahi snan' (holy bath) will take place on August 29, 2015, while the second and third shahi snans will take place on September 13 and 18, respectively. The flag will be lowered on August 11, 2016 when the mela will come to an end.