Parliament Question: Funds for Simhastha Kumbh Mela

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.1343 ANSWERED ON 27.07.2026 FUNDS FOR SIMHASTHA KUMBH MELA 1343. SHRI BHASKAR MURLIDHAR BHAGARE: Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state: (a) the details of the total amount of financial assistance sanctioned by the Government for the preparations and organization of the forthcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela at Nashik, component-wise; (b) the details of the funds released so far, phase and purpose-wise; (c) whether the Government has constituted any High-Level Committee, Steering Committee or Monitoring Committee to oversee the planning, implementation and utilization of Central assistance for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, and if so, the details thereof; (d) the composition of the said Committee, including the names and designations of its members and whether the Member of Parliament representing the Nashik Lok Sabha Constituency has been included therein; and (e) the details of the measures taken by the Government to ensure transparency, timely execution of projects and effective coordination among all stakeholders for the successful conduct of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) to (e): Ministry of Tourism sanctions Central Financial Assistance for the promotion of fairs and festivals to the State Governments, including Maharashtra and Union Territory (UT) Administrations, subject to receipt of proposals and adherence to the Scheme Guidelines. No proposal has been received from the Government of Maharashtra in the Ministry for the forthcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela at Nashik. The State Government of Maharashtra has informed that a comprehensive Kumbh Mela Development Plan amounting to Rs 22,425.39crore has been approved by the Hon`ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra in the meeting of the Apex Committee, held on 13.3.2026. The Government of Maharashtra, has constituted a 40 member Apex Committee under the Chairmanship of the Hon`ble Chief Minister, an Executive Committee for planning, co-ordination and organization of the Mela and a Kumbh Mela Ministers` Committee to take policy decisions. It has been informed by the State Government that the Member of Parliament representing the Nashik Lok Sabha Constituency have been included in the Apex Committee. The State Government has established the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela Authority for inter-departmental co-ordination, project planning, fund management and effective execution of development works for the forthcoming Mela. *****