Simhastha Kumbh budget may rise to Rs 5,000 crore: MP Govt

INDORE: Madhya Pradesh minister Bupendra Singh today said around Rs 5,000 crore might be spent in hosting the month-long Simhastha Kumbh Mela, which will begin from April 22 in Ujjain.

"Rs 3,000 crore has been spent so far on different works for Simhastha. According to our estimate, the expenditure may rise to Rs 5,000 crore till its conclusion," he said.

Pandals for Sadhus will be provided with free electricity, the state Transport and District Guardian In-charge minister said.

Around 70,000 policemen will be deployed at Simhastha Kumbh, one of the biggest religious festivals of Hindus, where nearly 5 crore devotees are expected, he said.

On the ongoing tussle between seers, Gyandas and Narendra Giri for the Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad's president post, Singh said the government has left the entire issue to the Parishad.

"We will recognise the pontiff whom the Parishad picks up at its president," he said.