Madhya Pradesh launches ₹950 crore Ujjain development projects for Simhastha 2028

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Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday launched development projects worth nearly ₹950 crore in Ujjain, the temple town that is expected to host an estimated 40 crore visitors during the Simhastha 2028 religious congregation. The projects, announced by the Ujjain Development Authority, include the redevelopment of the Angareshwar Mahadev Mandir, improvement of facilities at 84 Mahadev temples across the city, and the construction of approximately 50 km of roads.

A sum of ₹83 crore has been set aside for the redevelopment of the Angareshwar Mahadev Mandir into a more organised religious tourism destination, with plans for expansion of the temple premises, a dedicated waiting hall, shopping facilities, organised parking and other amenities. The first phase of improvements at the Mahadev temple sites, estimated at about ₹3.80 crore, will include flooring, renovation and beautification of walls, repairs, drinking water facilities, sheds, benches, toilets, lighting and improved pavements. Road construction and widening projects account for nearly half of the total budget at ₹495 crore, while an additional ₹370 crore has been earmarked to compensate farmers whose land will be acquired for the expansion. On Tuesday, Yadav launched the compensation process by distributing ₹37 crore to 48 farmers.

These projects are part of a larger infrastructure overhaul of Ujjain, with the state government approving 128 projects worth ₹13,851 crore across 10 departments in preparation for Simhastha 2028. Among the biggest connectivity projects are the ₹1,692-crore Ujjain-Indore six-lane project, a separate ₹2,935-crore greenfield four-lane corridor between the two cities, and the 98.73-km Ujjain-Jaora greenfield four-lane corridor estimated at ₹5,017 crore, which is expected to provide connectivity towards the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and divert long-distance traffic away from Ujjain. Along the Shipra river, approximately 29.2 km of new ghats and associated infrastructure are being developed under a ₹778-crore project, while the government is also executing the ₹919.94-crore Kanh closed-duct diversion project to prevent polluted water from the Kanh river from entering the Shipra.

What is the legal basis for land acquisition in such projects?

The compensation to farmers for land acquisition in these projects is governed by the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. This central legislation replaced the colonial-era Land Acquisition Act of 1894. It provides for social impact assessment and requires consent from affected families for certain public-private partnership and private projects. Compensation in rural areas may reach up to four times the market value. The Ujjain Development Authority, which is executing the projects, was established under the Madhya Pradesh Nagar Tatha Gram Nivesh Adhiniyam, 1973, to plan and develop urban areas in the city. The Kumbh Mela, of which the Ujjain Simhastha is a part, was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2017.

What is the Simhastha fair and why does Ujjain need this upgrade?

Simhastha is a major Hindu pilgrimage fair held every 12 years in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, on the banks of the Shipra River. Ujjain is one of the four Kumbh Mela sites, the others being Prayagraj, Haridwar and Nashik. The 2028 edition is expected to see a record 40 crore visitors, necessitating massive infrastructure upgrades to manage the influx of pilgrims and improve connectivity, sanitation and amenities.

What are the key projects and their expected impact?

The ₹950 crore package specifically targets Ujjain's religious tourism infrastructure: redeveloping the Angareshwar Mahadev Mandir, improving 84 Mahadev temples, and building 50 km of roads. The larger ₹13,851 crore programme across 128 projects shows a comprehensive approach, including major connectivity corridors (Ujjain-Indore and Ujjain-Jaora), riverfront development along the Shipra, and environmental management through the Kanh river diversion. Officials said the improved connectivity is expected to greatly benefit pilgrims during the congregation with access to bathing ghats and other important destinations.

What are the next steps and challenges?

With more than a year until Simhastha 2028, the state government must ensure timely execution of these projects. Focus will be on land acquisition, for which ₹370 crore has been earmarked, environmental clearance for the Kanh diversion, and coordination across 10 departments.