**Executive Summary**
This document presents the Ministry of Tourism's response to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. †*115 concerning the allocation of funds for the Nashik Kumbh Mela in 2027, answered on December 8, 2025. While the Ministry has not sanctioned specific infrastructure development projects for the upcoming Kumbh Mela, it does complement state efforts through existing schemes and has sanctioned various tourism infrastructure projects in the Nashik and Ahmednagar districts. The Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority (NTKMA) has been established to plan, coordinate, and oversee the preparations for the upcoming Kumbh Mela 2027.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **General Policy:**
* The development of tourist destinations is primarily the responsibility of the respective State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration.
* The Ministry complements these efforts through schemes like PRASHAD and Swadesh Darshan.
* **Kumbh Mela Funding:**
* As of December 8, 2025, the Ministry of Tourism has not sanctioned any infrastructure development project specifically for the upcoming Kumbh Mela at Nashik or for facilities in Shirdi, Kopargaon, and Shani Shingnapur.
* The Ministry continuously receives proposals from State Governments/UT Administrations for financial assistance for tourism projects, subject to guidelines, conditions, and fund availability.
* **Sanctioned Projects in Nashik and Ahmednagar:**
* The Ministry has sanctioned several tourism infrastructure projects in Nashik and Ahmednagar districts.
* PRASHAD Scheme: Development of Trimbakeshwar, Nashik (Rs. 45.41 Crore).
* Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment Scheme (SASCI): Development of RAM-KAL PATH in Nashik (Rs. 99.14 Crore).
* CBDD (Swadesh Darshan Scheme): Development of Ahmednagar Fort (Rs. 25.00 Crore).
* The State Government of Maharashtra has approved Rs. 26.27 Crore for tourism development works in Kopargaon and Shirdi under the Regional Tourism Development Scheme.
* **Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority (NTKMA):**
* NTKMA has been established by the Government of Maharashtra.
* NTKMA is responsible for planning, coordinating, and overseeing preparations for the Kumbh Mela 2027.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** State Government of Maharashtra / UT Administrations
* **Impact:** Responsible for primary development of tourist destinations, including those related to the Kumbh Mela and surrounding areas.
* **Action Required:** Continue to submit proposals for financial assistance to the Ministry of Tourism, adhering to guidelines and conditions. Also, NTKMA needs to take responsibility for the smooth organization of the Kumbh Mela.
**Stakeholder:** Ministry of Tourism
* **Impact:** Provides complementary support to State Governments/UT Administrations through existing schemes and financial assistance for approved projects.
* **Action Required:** Continue to examine proposals from State Governments/UT Administrations for financial assistance and provide support based on established guidelines.
**Stakeholder:** Pilgrims/Tourists
* **Impact:** Affected by the availability and quality of infrastructure and amenities provided for the Kumbh Mela and related sites.
* **Action Required:** No specific action required, but benefit from improved infrastructure and amenities resulting from funded projects.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tourism: Indian government ministry responsible for the development and promotion of tourism in India, answering questions regarding fund allocation.
Kumbh Mela: A major Hindu pilgrimage and festival, specifically the Nashik Kumbh Mela 2027, which is the subject of a parliamentary question regarding fund allocation.
PRASHAD Scheme: Government scheme to promote tourism development by improving infrastructure.
Swadesh Darshan Scheme: Government scheme for integrated development of theme based tourist circuits.
Maharashtra: Indian state and the location of Kumbh Mela and other sites mentioned, making it relevant to the document's scope.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO.†*115
ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025
FUNDS FOR NASHIK KUMBH MELA, 2027
†*115. SHRI BHAUSAHEB RAJARAM WAKCHAURE:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has allocated any funds for providing
basic amenities to the tourists visiting the Kumbh Mela to be held
at Nashik, Maharashtra;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has also allocated any funds for providing
potable water, rest rooms and other basic facilities to the pilgrim
tourists likely to visit Shirdi, Kopargaon and Shani Shingnapur in
Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra after the Nashik Kumbh Mela;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
*******STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED
QUESTION NO.†*115 ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025 REGARDING FUNDS
FOR NASHIK KUMBH MELA, 2027 RAISED BY SHRI BHAUSAHEB
RAJARAM WAKCHAURE.
(a) to (e): Development of tourist destinations is primarily undertaken
by the respective State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration.
The Ministry complements the efforts of States/UTs by developing
tourism infrastructure through its ongoing schemes of PRASHAD and
Swadesh Darshan Schemes. This is done in consultation with the State
Governments/ UT Administrations.
The Ministry of Tourism has not sanctioned any infrastructure
development project for the upcoming Kumbh Mela at Nashik,
Maharashtra and at places such as Shirdi, Kopargaon and Shani
Shingnapur in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra till date.
However, receiving proposals from the State Governments/UT
Administrations for financial assistance for tourism projects is a
continuous process. The proposals received are examined with
reference to the prescribed guidelines and financial assistance is
extended for such projects subject to fulfilment of the stipulated
conditions and availability of funds.
Further, the Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned various tourism
infrastructure projects in Nashik and Ahmednagar districts of
Maharashtra, the details of which is given below:Name of Scheme Name of the project Sanctioned cost
(Rs. in Crore)
PRASHAD Development of 45.41
Trimbakeshwar, Nashik
Special Assistance to Development of RAM- 99.14
States for Capital KAL PATH in Nashik
Investment (SASCI
Scheme)
CBDD, a sub-scheme of Development of 25.00
Swadesh Darshan Scheme Ahmednagar Fort
As per the information received from the State Government of
Maharashtra, the tourism department under the Regional Tourism
Development Scheme has accorded administrative approval for tourism
development works in Kopargaon and Shirdi at a total cost of Rs.26.27
Crore.
In addition, the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Kumbh Mela Authority
(NTKMA) has been established by the Government of Maharashtra to
plan, coordinate, and oversee the preparations for the upcoming Kumbh
Mela 2027 in Nashik. It functions as the nodal agency responsible for
ensuring smooth organisation of the Kumbh Mela.
*****