Rs 2,267 Crore Govt Fund To Acquire Land For Kumbh Mela Project
mumbai : The Maharashtra government on Friday approved Rs 2.267 billion for the acquisition of 191.21 acres of land earmarked for the Sadhu Gram project for the 2027 Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela. The government has warned that any use of funds linked to the Kumbh project for other purposes will be treated as a serious financial irregularity requiring action against those responsible.
The Urban Development Department has issued a government resolution (GR) sanctioning Rs 2.267 billion to the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority for acquisition of land reserved within the civic corporation limits for the temporary township (Sadhu Gram) to accommodate seers and religious akharas (organizations of Hindu ascetics) during the mega congregation.
The GR stated that the approved amount includes compensation for acquisition of 191.21 acres of land and Rs 3 crore towards administrative expenses associated with the acquisition process.
According to the government, around 377 acres have been earmarked for Sadhu Gram and allied uses in Nashik Development Plan-2017. Of this, around 94 acres have already been acquired, while the remaining land needs to be secured ahead of the 2027 Kumbh Mela.
The decision required the compensation to be paid to landowners to be verified and immediately transferred through RTGS (Real Time Gross Settlement, electronic payment system). He placed joint responsibility on the Nashik district collector and the city’s municipal authority to ensure timely acquisition and possession of land so that the project does not suffer delays.
In a crucial case, the funds approved for the Sadhu Gram land acquisition project can only be used for this purpose and cannot be diverted to any other work, the General Assembly said.
The decision warned that permanent or temporary diversion of the principal amount or the interest earned thereon will be considered “serious financial irregularity” and the implementing agency, authority, urban local body or relevant authorities will be responsible for necessary action.
The government has clarified that the sanction is a one-time financing arrangement and any increase in the project cost beyond the approved amount has to be borne entirely by the Nashik Municipal Corporation.
GR emphasized that no additional grant will be provided beyond the amount approved by the state government.
The decision was issued as per the decision taken in the meeting of the state cabinet’s infrastructure committee on April 22.
